04/06/2026
So I had an awkward and embarrassing experience at a local store. Usually I go to shops with my husband- who can somewhat cope with my panic attacks, but when I feel like crap and he isn't around, I take wee-man...
Not everyone in this particular shop is used to seeing me on my own with my ADiT, so I can forgive some "questioning" because it's human. They're just trying to do their job blah blah blah.
HOWEVER, on this occasion I took it to management. I felt the need to protect others who couldn't speak up for their rights or may be not be up for confrontation.
Here's how the sh*t went down.
Took wee-man into the shop for some public access training (in full vested gear) to practice fronts and walking to heel while I picked up a few bits.
When we went to self check-out, the bloke there minding the yobs, chavs and potential thieves said 'dogs aren't allowed' to me. As if we were the real threat 🙄🙄
I politely said as per the store signage, ADs are infact allowed and offered to show Wee-man's documentation and the Equality Act section stating such.
He declined my polite and respectful offer, repeated what he said, gave wee-man a dog hater eye roll and then went on about his day of compensating for a small w***y.
Despite wee-man being in full gear which isn't even required by law!
When I calmly to explain the law and rules, and offered to show him our documentation, he walked off and ignored us.
I wasn't having that. So I went to another check out and waited for her to finish serving her customers to ask to speak to a manager. Which by the way, those customers commented on how well behaved my dog was and one nodded at us in solidarity. 🙌
When the manager came, I simply explained what the person said and informed her that not all ADs are labradors serving the blind and that the staff could do with a bit of training to accommodate and reduce embarrassing people with invisible illness.
She was really nice and apologetic, commented on how well behaved he was (made me feel validated and proud tbf) and I said I don't like to make a fuss as it causes me grief but in this case, I worried more for the grief and embarrassment it could cause another individual. I offered to show wee-mans paperwork and the law but she was more concerned about who made us feel like s**t lol which I totally get and didn't want to drop the dude in it, so I simply said I don't want to get anyone in trouble for not knowing the law if they HAVEN'T BEEN TOLD THE LAWS!!
So I put the onus back on them to filter the laws down to the staff.. making the point that not all ADs are yellow labs AND can be owner trained 🙄🙄🙄🙄
It's just crap though to have to explain that "my hubby isn't here this time so I have my assistance dog"
And people wonder why I rarely leave my house other than to train or walks dogs lol 😆 😅
Picture of him chilling out for attention lol
