First, the ADA does not apply to post offices, but the Rehab Act does. Second, in response to the poster that mentioned "certified service dogs", in the US, service dogs are not certified in the United States. No certification, identification, or registration is required.

I just had a problem at my local post office. I filed a complaint and the supervisor defended the employee and said, "Well, you said he isn't a guide dog". He isn't, he's a medical alert dog. He said, "Oh, was he leashed?" I replied that he was both leashed and harnessed and he replied, "As long as he was harnessed". WRONG AGAIN BUDDY! In the US, service dogs often do, but are not required to be harnessed. Mine is because he does mild mobility work, but it's not required.

What is required:

1) The handler has a life limiting disability
2) The dog does something to mitigate this disability
3) The dog is trained to behave properly in public!

I think I know this person.

A service dog may not be refused access at a post office period. If you have a problem all the GM of the facility and read him the riot act. It's amazing that in federal facilities federal employees don't know the law.

Yes, Jin, you know me.....

Harley says Hi!

How does the rehab act apply. I looked but I think I missed something. Why doesn't the ADA apply to post offices?

For grins and giggles, while at the PO today, there was a plaque on the wall dedicating the PO to "Richard Nixon and to all whom enter this public place". They also had the good old "seeing eye dogs" only decal on the door.

I'm not sure of all the dirty details, but the ADA doesn't apply to Federal buildings (PO, federal courts, IRS buildings, etc...) but the Rehab Act does....and they mirror each other. It's just one more way for the government to confuse the common man.

My husband and I each have our own service dog, home schooled since they were 10 weeks old, they are nearly 4 years old now. Chihuahua mixes for hearing alert and one is cross-trained to alert to hubby's highs and lows in blood sugar since he is a diabetic.

Since moving to Washington we have had very little trouble taking them anywhere. The dogs are often called by name when we go to Denny's. Wal-Mart and several other places. They are quite friendly and love kids, Munchie is a bit more reserved than her brother and is a Daddy's Girl, preferring to stay as close to him as possible. Bearbear, is a Mama's Boy and literally goes everywhere I do, he won't let me out of his sight. I don't hear sirens when I am driving and he alerts me to them. People come up behind me and on my right side and he lets me know they are there. If I need to use the rest room when we are out, he sits patiently till I finish and wash my hands..he likes to stand under the hand dryer and let it blow on him!!

I saw some small kids run up to a large standard poodle that was a service dog the other day and the dog tried to run from them, and in the process, almost knocked his owner over pulling on the leash!! Some dogs fear fast movements by them....I can snap open a trash bag by Bearbear and he looks at me as if to say, "you done yet?" He's never run in fear of anything, and he's never offered to bite, even with his leg severely broken in 4 places. He was a little trooper through the nearly 4 months of splints, surgeries, pins put in his leg and finally amputation. The leg was not to be saved.

I had problems in Arizona getting the dogs into places but not here!

Hi just happened to see this post I am usually in the MS forum. In addition to MS I have insulin dependent diabetes (& a few other things).

Just over 4 years ago I got a puppy; part Bichon Frise & Part Poodle. She was initially being trained for emotional support when then my diabetes got worse & I had to go on insulin. Because of the cognitive problems from the MS I do not always test as I should. Esperanza started training as a Diabetic Alert Dog. She has been specifially trained in these 2 areas but I have taught her mobility tasks as well. Despite her small size (12 lbs) if I am using my rollator walker in a store she guides me to the perimeters of the aisles where I am close to shelves to hold on to if I lose my balance; she prevents me from going off curbs when I do not realize there is no ramp & once I took a bad fall in the parking lot of my condo & Esperanza was able to bark & cause enough comotion to alert help. She has been in the finest restaurants, theaters, etc. (I could not get on stage to personally great Paul of Peter, Paul & Mary but Espy at my command went up to him & gave him lots of kisses - he was thrilled).

Then I moved to East Meadow here on Long Island & like you they HAD signs stating NO DOGS ALLOWED EXCEPT GUIDE DOGS FOR THE BLIND. I was REFUSED SERVICE because I had Esperanza despite her wearing a vest & my having ID attached to my walker. I took the matter all the way to Washington where I learned that ALL POST OFFICES were instructed YEARS AGO to REMOVE THOSE SIGNS & REPLACE THEM WITH NEW SIGNAGE ALLOWING SERVICE DOGS AS WELL AS GUIDE DOGS. MANY like yours, the one in East Meadow & several more on Long Island FAILED TO COMPLY. I began a campaign to make them comply & have had many of the signs corrected.

The BEST (WORST) ONE was when I went to Social Services to get a new benefit card & was REFUSED ADMISSION because of Esperanza. I DID NOT argue with the police who man this Social Service office I just kept repeating the law. They shouted, screamed got within inches of my face & when I got a chance to walk away from them & get online an officer grabbed my walker & spun me around. Long story short when it was all over (well it is still not completely over) I was PHYSICALLY MANHANDLED by 2 officers & REFUSED ADMISSION by the police supervisor. He FINALLY let me in when I said I was planning on taking crimminal & civil action against the other 2 officers & if continued to prevent me from entering I could include him. He DID let me conduct my business but not before telling me that he DID NOT believe what I stated about the law was true but he was going to let me in while he checked it out. When I sent my complaint into the DA I INCLUDED a copy of the Federal Service Dog Laws PROVING I WAS RIGHT - still pending.

Largely from these 2 instances & from other minor ones as well as witnessing how many disabled people are unaware of their rights or afraid to stand up for them I am creating a non profit - EsperanzaEnterprises. This organization will promote Service Dog & Disability awareness as well as act as a "hub" for information for people with disabilities & there caregivers.

YOU NEED TO FIGHT THIS TO THE HIGHEST LEVEL NOT JUST FOR YOURSELF BUT FOR ALL THE DISABLED PEOPLE WITH SERVICE DOGS THAT COME AFTER YOU.

"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter"

Good luck to you. Stay strong & REMEMBER even one small voice can move a might mountain.

Contact the Postmaster General. The old rule was Guide Dogs only, there is a new rule in effect that permits all service dogs. Many post offices around the country have not updated their policies, but they need to.