Re: Question about therapy animals

Meowingkitty · ‎06-19-2010

I've seen people with kids doing basically the same thing. Holding up people at the entrance because the kid was being difficult. I'd rather deal with the dog.

willowbark · ‎07-20-2025

@drizzellla wrote:
@Mersha got me thinking, after seeing her post.

Are there any rules about Therapy animals?

Yesterday I made the mistake of going to Costco. An older gentleman in a scooter forgot where his Costco card was. He checked all his pockets and compartments in his wallet. And then went through them again before he found the Costco card. Quite a line had formed to enter the store.

But it didn't matter, because right after you scanned your Costco card, 2 middle aged ladies were trying to reason with their therapy dog. Apparently the rather large mid sized dog did not want to ride in the cart. And the dog was winning. They stood right in the middle of the entrance isle, so no one could get around them because of the displays at the entrance.

Finally they took the dog out of the cart but then the dog would not move. It just stood there not moving. After watching this "show" what seemed like forever, my husband finally wormed his way through the TV isle.

Do therapy dogs get any training? The dog didn't seem to be trained and the women didn't seem to be trained either. Made me wonder why they would pick a Saturday afternoon at Costco to take out their therapy dog.

Sounded like the therapy dog need therapy because of them.

kaydee50 · ‎02-07-2011

Don't know about what training any dogs need but dogs go everywhere! Airplanes, buses, subways, supermarkets, etcc., etc, etc. I often feel sorry for the dogs.

drizzellla · ‎03-14-2010

The only reason I thought it was a therapy dog was that it clearly did not act like a Service dog. And I thought Costco only let Service dogs and maybe Therapy dogs into their store. The sign before you walk into Costco does not mention allowing emotional support dogs into the store. And the ladies had already walked into the store and scanned their card. So the ladies were allowed into the store with their dog.

I really felt sorry for the dog. It looked like it was being pushed and proded and I am sure that is why it refused to move. Still wondered why they thought going to Costco on a Saturday afternoon was a good idea.

drizzellla · ‎03-14-2010

Thanks for all your replies. I appreciate all the information.

We have a neighbor who is blind. He has walked around the neighborhood with his guide dog for many years. So everyone knows and talks to him. He even knows who he is talking to, just by hearing our voices and he remembers what street we live on.

@KBEANS I was happy to read that the service dog you inherited lived to be over 17 years old. Wish our dog lasted that long. He was not a certified service dog but he provided a wonderful service by just being present. We only had him 6 years (he was a rescue) but a much loved member of the family.

San Antonio Gal · ‎05-18-2017

@KBEANS - Jake sounds like such a wonderful companion and I know you miss him terribly. Sorry for your loss, but I'm glad you were able to enjoy him for the 3.5 years. RIP Jake.

Sooner · ‎03-10-2010

I think only trained service dogs should be allowed in stores and restaurants. Everything else is a potential disaster waiting to happen. And no, dogs don't need to go shopping.

ellaphant · ‎12-13-2010

@Kachina624 wrote:
The only dog trained and certified is a service dog, the kind that's trained to lead the blind or perform other service for a disabled person. Their selection and training are extensive, and they'd never behave like the dog you saw in Costco.

Therapy dogs receive some training and must be docile and friendly. They are the dogs that visit hospitals and nursing homes or let children read books to them in libraries. They have a calming effect on people.

Emotional support animals are for the most part, a sham. They receive no training and can get a certificate by mail order. They include all types of animals and supposedly make their owner feel better just by being there. Many transportation sources and commercial enterprises have booted them out.

Totally agree. I was at a museum exhibit opening years ago. A woman was making a huge scene about her toy poodle in her purse being allowed in. Awful

qvcaddition · ‎03-10-2010

@willowbark

@willowbark wrote:
@drizzellla wrote:
@Mersha got me thinking, after seeing her post.

Are there any rules about Therapy animals?

Yesterday I made the mistake of going to Costco. An older gentleman in a scooter forgot where his Costco card was. He checked all his pockets and compartments in his wallet. And then went through them again before he found the Costco card. Quite a line had formed to enter the store.

But it didn't matter, because right after you scanned your Costco card, 2 middle aged ladies were trying to reason with their therapy dog. Apparently the rather large mid sized dog did not want to ride in the cart. And the dog was winning. They stood right in the middle of the entrance isle, so no one could get around them because of the displays at the entrance.

Finally they took the dog out of the cart but then the dog would not move. It just stood there not moving. After watching this "show" what seemed like forever, my husband finally wormed his way through the TV isle.

Do therapy dogs get any training? The dog didn't seem to be trained and the women didn't seem to be trained either. Made me wonder why they would pick a Saturday afternoon at Costco to take out their therapy dog.
Sounded like the therapy dog need therapy because of them.

Read my post about my Therapy dog and training.

chrystaltree · ‎05-10-2010

That was not a therapy dog or a service dog. That was just a pet and they maybe are calling it an emotional support animal. For a while people were passing off their pets as emotional support animals. You could print a fake card off the internet and vests but that's over now. Businesses know better.