I've recently relocated to TX and was just denied access to the local post office with my service dog. They do have signs up that state 'guide dogs only'. Since this is a federal building and I haven't had my SD for very long I'm wondering if they really are allowed to get away with that and what I can do, if anything? I have severe PTSD and cannot leave my house without her. Before her I couldn't go anywhere alone. I find myself a bit dismayed at the thought of not being allowed to go get stamps or pick up packages sent by family....any ideas? I tried giving the postmaster the ADA handout, but she insisted it didn't apply to the post office...

This is outrageous!!!! Contact your congressman, your senator, the postmaster general and the local media and make the biggest stink you can.

I would also call the cops and ask them what the rules are. All service dogs should be permitted into any federal building. Is your service dog papered or did you train her yourself? Some states have strict rules regarding "what" is a service dog and make you prove it by showing a certificate. Please let us know what you find out.

Wow, that is not good. I'm in the process of training my dog to use as a service dog. I have PTSD also. I can't take her everywhere with me yet but when I get home she is glued to me. Keep us up to date on what you find out...

Oh, and I forgot to say that you should check the access laws for your state. Many states have or are going to pass laws that allow you to take your SDIT (service dog in training) almost everywhere so that you can actually train him/her in public. Otherwise, it's a bit hard to expose them to elevators, (never use escalators, their pads can get pinched and will bleed), stairs, crowds, etc. Good luck training your dog!

Just got off the phone with the police. They admitted they have no clue what the access laws are, and apparently neither did the lady's sergeant, since she asked him at my request. They have no idea where I would go to for help on this, but suggested the 'postal police' and gave a phone number. I wasn't aware the postal service had it's own police. Who knew?! So, I'm off to go bang my head against another wall...

Nope, after talking to trainers I found out a servcie dog was going to cost about $40,000 for my specific needs (mobility assist and medical assist), plus the waiting list for a dog that could handle the work was going to be at least two years or more. So I trained her myself, but had the advice from many other trainers to help, and of course she passed her CGC test. (Has nothing to do with service dog training other than it's a way to certify that she's good with other dogs and people.) Make no mistake, she's had hundreds of hours worth of training and does tasks that not even a human assistant can do (like alert me to a pending panic attack before I'm aware that I'm getting upset). The federal law allows people to train their own dogs (no certificates required) for this exact reason..who can afford $40,000 when they're disabled and on a fixed income?!

I thought federal law trumped state law with regards to access for disabled people. Isn't the post office a federal building? I sent emails out to the DOJ, and an advocacy agency in my area. I will let everyone know what I find. I will also call the police, but I bet even they won't know the law.

And to anyone even considering a servcie dog, I would ask if you really are prepared to be challenged or denied access every single day you go out in public until all of your 'regular' businesses are familiar with the law. It's frustrating, heartbreaking on days when you're not emotionally ready, and sometimes angering. I'd even go so far as to take a witness with you when entering a new building if you're in an area that seems to be completely unaware of the access laws, like my portion of TX. Not that it will help much, but they can keep you calmer and there is strength in numbers. Good luck to everyone that needs a service dog, and I don't mean to be discouraging about getting one, just prepare yourself in case your area hasn't done a good job with educating the businesses about the access laws!

I have heard strange things about changes this year: such as only guide dogs are allowed into federal buildings. I can't find any evidence of this. On March 15 2011, the ADA will be changed to only allow dogs and small horses to be considered service animals. Two years ago, I was denied entrance into a major post office in Colorado with my service dog. It started out with screamed "get that dog out of here", and went down hill from there because I resisted and stated the ADA laws. I got no help from anyone in any position in the Postal Service. So I went across the street to Congressman Salizar's office (who had previously helped me on V.A. issues). A few days later I got an extensive apology from the top Postal Service guy in Colorado. They also put-up a sign at the entrance which said: Service dogs welcome, pets not allowed. I had only a leash on my dog, which I trained myself. I had no real certification, registration, or special licensing. My dog then and my new dog is a medical alert dog warning me of Post-Concussive Syndrome onset (I also have P.T.S.D. and physical problems). I was a dog handler and trainer in the Army; I now use Adam Katz's wolf instinct methods: with astounding results. I was told by disability lawyers and Comet service dog trainers that A.D.A. laws apply to all places in the U.S., except in surgery rooms. I've had my dog staying in a VA hospital (3 days on the foot of my bed), getting a free seat on Amtrak for long trips, several hospital emergency rooms, etc. Yesterday I was denied entrance into an IRS building; that is, until a local TV station and police showed-up. Suddenly the security and IRS supervisors, who had been so loud and vicious to me before, came out smiling, asking me sweetly to come inside with my dog, and helped me get my forms in 5 minutes. I still reported them to the Feds & higher IRS officials. IN the past, I have found that the nasty lawbreakers of the ADA always lie about the events when confronted by superiors or police, so now I take a small tape recorder with me and turn in on when it looks like something is going to happen...it also helps me not to get so upset. Most places around here are very nice about service dogs; I wonder why it is often junior management at federal places who are so nasty.

I had a similar problem which I resolved by contacting my Congressman, John Salizar.

Now I see that federal buildings and properties are not covered by the A.D.A.; of course these federal places are also not covered by state laws; however, service dogs are strongly covered by Title 40, section 3101 of the U.S. Code.
This has very strong wording for the disabled person's rights with service dogs in federal buildings and on federal property.
The Rehab Act of 1978 seems stronger than the Rehab Act of 1973 in favor of the disabled person's with a service dog rights...and especially addresses the US Postal Service & its properties: check 504 (A) under this.......
Access rights are preserved under the General Services Administration Federal Management Regulations.
It is possible that the ADA does not apply to federal property because disabled people with service dogs are previously and better covered by these acts and regulations.

In my experieince and with recent laws passed the ADA enforces the ability of service animals be allowed in any public area, including restaurants. It is against ADA law to be asked for your animal to perform the duty, for you to divulge what your disability is and to what extent the animal assists you. Read the new news on the ADA website. Any animal can be a a service animal. Like the previous posts you and your animal were treated wrongly and there are huge penalties that can be sited to any business that breaks ADA law...