I was at the Manhattan, Kansas, store (Manhattan-1673) on 4/10, inquiring about dog training. Your dog trainer Gina made my service dog (SD) extremely upset and made me start crying in public, which was humiliating. She falsely represented herself and the ADA, quoting supposedly this document: http://www.ada.gov/service_animals_2010.htm
She called my disability of PTSD not a valid disability requiring an SD, but if you look at the document I linked, psychiatric disabilities do qualify for SD use. I would like to see something done, but I do not want her to seek retaliation against me. I am afraid now to even go to your store, which I would visit and make purchases at almost daily. If something is not done, I will file a formal complaint with the ADA reporting your store for allowing a trainer of yours to falsify ADA federal laws to solicit training money for her and/or your company. It is hard enough training an SD without having someone like this causing severe issues. She called my SD worthless and a waste of my time, and said I should purchase a new puppy and run it through your store's puppy classes, paying money, and then she would train it "proper" tasks. I have put total time and money into my SD of 4 years. All I wanted was help with an issue that had recently popped up with her barking at times. My husband is receiving a letter from the ADA which states there is nothing wrong with my dog and that unless I cannot control her and she is disruptive, she is fine. I will mail a copy to you if needed for proof.
This is the complaint I wrote to the Petco store in Manhattan. The manager contacted me and stated Gina would be talked to. But I don't think talking to her is enough. I am now 5 days after this incident and am still having panic attacks. I have regressed and am having trouble again leaving my house even to get food to eat. My SD, which she called a complete failure, is once again my saving grace, because without her I would not live a life with any quality. My so-called worthless SD for the past 5 days has been doing her tasks and getting me to live and escape my house, and guiding me through my panic attacks.
I really feel this person should not be allowed to train dogs, certainly not for the disabled, and should get more than a talking-to for falsely representing herself as an ADA certified trainer. Isn't that fraud? And Petco allowing her to do this on their property with just a slap on the hand I feel is lacking on their part, and they should have to pay too. I don't want money or a return or a gift card. I want justice, for me and for anyone else out there with an SD who is lied to, accused or wronged for money. What I want is to be able to live without fear of being tormented just because I am not perfect.
Thank you
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