Every once in a while, one comes across a story that needs further attention as it serves an educational purpose. Such is the story of Finnegan McNeil, a Hearing Service Dog. This Toy Schnauzer travels quite a bit, in search of business enterprises that fail to meet the Laws of the Federal, State, and Local Government concerning Service and Assistance Animals. He brings awareness to those who persist on ignoring the rights of the Disabled and their Service Animal. As for those who are not completely familiar with such laws, Finnegan enlightens them. His owner suffers from from a illness called Bilateral Menere's Disease. It is our understanding that this type of hearing loss does not respond well with hearing aids as it fluctuates. In other words, it is a fluctuating hearing loss in both ears and difficult to control as it can vary to as low as 15 percent. Take the time to read this story.
Tonight, my Daddy and I entered this restaurant with Finnegan, a Service Dog, and a harness on that has lettering on it one inch tall that says "SERVICE DOG". An employee behind the counter said "Dogs are not allowed in here". Thinking that possibly the harness was at a bad angle, he turned Finnegan to one of my sides so that he could read the lettering and said to the employee, "This is a Service Dog". The employee again replied, "Dogs are not allowed in here". My Dad walked up close to the counter and then told him, "Let me make myself very clear. You need to go get your manager pronto (quick) and save this restaurant a $10,000 fine from the US Department of Justice complaint before you do anything else whatsoever".
A manager named Eric came out immediately and apologized. My Dad showed him my Service Dog identification so that there would be no doubt whatsoever. My Dad then told him that some ADA (American Disability Act) training was obviously needed for this employee -- and possibly all the store employees. Eric said that it would be taken care of and apologized, Then a customer that was at the counter came over to my Dad and asked just what this Service Dog was needed for, to which my Dad said, "That is an entirely inappropriate etiquette, and it is none of your (?????) business". The customer then said that maybe Daddy would like to go outside and settle it. My Dad said, "Maybe you would like to settle it with the Panama City Police since you are assaulting me with a threat". The customer then backed down when he saw my Dad getting his cellphone. All of this was caused because of very poor employee training at this restaurant.
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A manager named Eric came out immediately and apologized. My Dad showed him my Service Dog identification so that there would be no doubt whatsoever. My Dad then told him that some ADA (American Disability Act) training was obviously needed for this employee -- and possibly all the store employees. Eric said that it would be taken care of and apologized, Then a customer that was at the counter came over to my Dad and asked just what this Service Dog was needed for, to which my Dad said, "That is an entirely inappropriate etiquette, and it is none of your (?????) business". The customer then said that maybe Daddy would like to go outside and settle it. My Dad said, "Maybe you would like to settle it with the Panama City Police since you are assaulting me with a threat". The customer then backed down when he saw my Dad getting his cellphone. All of this was caused because of very poor employee training at this restaurant.
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Tonight, my Daddy ate the chicken sandwich, which was mostly salad, and the chicken noodle soup with ice tea. There were no almonds, whatsoever, to be found in the chicken salad (he looked); and the chicken noodle soup was fairly watered down. Frankly, you could do better buying a can of Campbell's soup at the grocery store. The employees at the pickup counter demanded that we put the buzzer in a basket in a very snotty tone of voice. The ice tea was also very watered down compared to most in other restaurants. I would say that we are done with Panera Bread, but we're not. I know my Daddy. He will be visiting everyone of their stores in the area to test them about their entry and treatment of Service Dogs. If they don't handle it in accordance with law, you can bet a US Department of Justice complaint will be filed shortly thereafter.
Come on Panera Bread, you are a national company, do the correct employee training in this regard along with the rest of the world and get in compliance. They are not Service dog friendly, though hopefully they will be working on the matter.
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Come on Panera Bread, you are a national company, do the correct employee training in this regard along with the rest of the world and get in compliance. They are not Service dog friendly, though hopefully they will be working on the matter.
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