Access issues in Park Falls, Wis.
I feel as though I'm on shaky ground right now. I sent three letters to three important people in the state of Wisconsin, two of them located in Park Falls, Wis. The letter addressed an important issue I was at the heart of and I want it out in the open and dealt with properly. The attorney general wasn't able to prosecute the man that kicked me out of his business, and that's because the state laws only cover those service animals that are used for blind or mobility-impaired individuals. But the federal law protects every type of service animal, and whichever law grants greater protection between state and federal, it is the one that prevails.
I know how people in Park Falls are. They always act as though they have better things to do than handle your problems -- even when that's their job -- and when they talk to you, they talk down as if you're a young child that has gotten into trouble even when you're the one that was wronged. Sometimes they speak to you as though they're trying really hard not to laugh at you.
When the topic of visiting family comes up, I often feel my anxiety levels rising. I don't want to go to that town. I have a hard time going into businesses with my service dog when I'm there. People don't realize they have to allow all service animals in, not just those that assist the blind, and it results in problems when I try to explain to them what the laws are. I went into Gustafson's I.G.A. one day and the woman said I could be in there with my dog "so long as she had her cape on." Um, no. If I don't want my dog to wear a cape, I don't have to put one on her, so says the law.
I contacted the local newspaper and requested they do an article about it because I want the town of Park Falls to be educated about service animals. I want to have an easier time with access when I visit family. Most of all, I want to feel comfortable there when I'm in town with my service dog. Right now, I just don't want to step foot into Price County.
I know how people in Park Falls are. They always act as though they have better things to do than handle your problems -- even when that's their job -- and when they talk to you, they talk down as if you're a young child that has gotten into trouble even when you're the one that was wronged. Sometimes they speak to you as though they're trying really hard not to laugh at you.
When the topic of visiting family comes up, I often feel my anxiety levels rising. I don't want to go to that town. I have a hard time going into businesses with my service dog when I'm there. People don't realize they have to allow all service animals in, not just those that assist the blind, and it results in problems when I try to explain to them what the laws are. I went into Gustafson's I.G.A. one day and the woman said I could be in there with my dog "so long as she had her cape on." Um, no. If I don't want my dog to wear a cape, I don't have to put one on her, so says the law.
I contacted the local newspaper and requested they do an article about it because I want the town of Park Falls to be educated about service animals. I want to have an easier time with access when I visit family. Most of all, I want to feel comfortable there when I'm in town with my service dog. Right now, I just don't want to step foot into Price County.