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The Service and Therapy Dog forum is for all service and therapy dogs regardless of whether or not their status is legally defined by federal or state law, how they are trained, or whether or not they are "certified." Posts questioning or disputing a person's need for a service or therapy dog, the validity of a person's service or therapy dog, or the dog's ability to do the work of a service or therapy dog are not permitted in this forum. Please keep discussions fun, friendly, and helpful at all times.

  
tiki

I was born to be- loved.
 
 
Barked: Sat Jan 5, '13 1:41pm PST 
I am not sure how to handle this situation, I have a service dog a Chihuahua, and my Doctor has a larger service dog. problem is I had to stop taking my dog because his dog jumps on her and attacks, he jumps on me and all the other patients, I just found out he is not a service dog just that the doctor wants him at the office, he is still a young dog, not yet a year old, the nurse from the office said she had to leave the job due to the dog being there, but she has not the heart to report him, well I don't either this Dr. is a specialist and now I have to find another that takes my insurance so this is a big mess, not sure what to do. I have talked to him a 9 mos. ago about how to get the dog certified as a service dog, guess it fell on deaf ears. he spends our time as patients showing us all the tricks the dog knows to do, he is in agility training. I am thinking so what, he needs to be trained not to jump on me or my dog. sorry had to rant a bit.
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Chief- Majestix the- Impeccable

1243866

moderator		 
 
Barked: Sat Jan 5, '13 3:58pm PST 
That's a very legit issue..
Tricky, but you can resolve it.
You can call or write a letter to the medical group the Dr office belongs to and tell them about the issue. You don't have to out yourself, but can tell them about how challenging it is as a patient at this office with this dog present and how the Dr does(n't) handle the situation or respects other people. Also how he charges the insurance for time he doesn't spend on his patients but on the dog instead. A letter to your insurance might do wonder, too.
You can of course present your specific situation as well, if you feel up to "showing your face".
He can't have his dog in the same area the clients or his staff are. It's simply against medical office policy and against the law.
If the dog were a SD, he can, but has to make sure his dog does not approach clients, employees or other SDs.
You need to take it to a level above him. I promise, the dog will be gone faster than you can say dog. This is a lawsuit waiting to happen and whoever files it, will win.
Best to you and good luck..
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Isaac

1278829		 
 
Barked: Sun Jan 6, '13 3:38am PST 
How about just talking to your doctor and explaining that you need to bring your service dog to your appointments, and that the ADA says you have the legal right to do so? And that means he needs to leave his untrained, poorly behaved dog at home or secure it in another area of the office during your visits.
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tiki

I was born to be- loved.
 
 
Barked: Sun Jan 6, '13 10:57am PST 
Hi, and thanks for the response I have tried to talk to him, and he turns a deaf ear to me, like I am not there, he calls it a service dog then other times he says therapy dog? the nurse quit due to this situation, she said a patient was bleeding and the dog licked the persons leg, they left the office and were very upset as well they should be. this Doctor is a urologist and needs to focus on his patients, I am making calls first thing Monday morning, first find a new Urologist next contact someone who can help. I love animals as much as the next person, but this is wrong what he is doing to us all.
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Isaac

1278829		 
 
Barked: Sun Jan 6, '13 3:05pm PST 
Oh, what he is doing is definitely wrong.

If he's in a group practice or works for some sort of organization, you can complain to his supervisor. Of course, if he is the boss there, then that isn't an option. You can also file a complaint with the state medical board. I would also let him know why you are finding a new doctor.

Obviously his dog is not a service dog because a service dog would not act like that.

My therapist has a dog, which is neither a service dog nor a therapy dog, that she sometimes takes to work with her. One day her dog was barking at my service dog and my service dog was barking back (which I realize my dog should not be doing but he is young and he was new to me and there were still some things that needed to be ironed out) and she had the receptionist watch her dog during my session. I think she handled it very well.
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Penny Mouse- Fart Ayala

I eat, therefore- I am.....		 
 
Barked: Mon Jan 7, '13 11:08pm PST 
Hi Tiki! wave This is just me, but I'd transfer to a new dr. so fast that docs' had would spin! And, I'd sure get hold of my insurance and explain why I felt I had to switch and let the insurance folks decide what to do about the dr. That's just me though! I'm so sorry you're having to go through this and poor poor Tiki to have to be assaulted by a bigger dog! Talk about stress for both you and poor Tiki! Sheesh, some people. You would hope that dr.s would be more aware of others needs and not so egocentric. I'm sorry, but that doc sure sounds like a flaming idiot!
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tiki

I was born to be- loved.
 
 
Barked: Tue Jan 8, '13 5:54am PST 
Hi Penny, wave yes I was on the phone in SEARCH of a new Dr. and I did call the state medical board, they feel I should file a complaint, I just want someone to talk to him, he should know better than to fake a service dog, just because he wants his pet at work with him, a lot of people do take their dogs to work, he should keep the dog in his office, and the nurses take turns taking the dog to the bathroom, while we wait. the last time we were there the place had dog toys food bowls all over you kind of have to step around them. Yes poor tiki she was in the sling I carry her in and he tried to get to her, she did not know what to do? even though she is a service dog she did growl at the dog, cause it pushed me, the Doctor saw all this and did not give a darn, how I was struggling to keep his dog away from her. to be honest I am a senior and have medicare so hard to find a doc. that will accept my plan. this is why I have put up with him for so long, but not any more, I told me regular Doctor and they are doing there best to help me, find another Urologist. wish us luck.
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