On April 11th, around 9 pm at night, I decided to take my bernese mountain dog for a walk to a nearby Tim Hortons. I was a little skeptical about bringing my dog in to just buy a coffee, so I had asked the workers if it was ok to just bring him in and order my coffee. They informed me that as long as I wasn't staying, they didn't see a problem. So I got my drink, and was on my merry way home. The next day, today, April 12th, about half an ago, I decided to take a break of my studying, and take a walk again to the same Tim Horton's with my dog (Bernese mountain dog, 115 pounds). As I got there, it was much busier, so I decided to look for a place to tie him outside. Given that he is a pure breed dog, and theft against dogs such as him are very high, I couldn't find a place to tie him up. I considered asking someone, providing them with the money, to get my coffee for me, but given today's society, that wouldn't be such a good idea as I would probably never see my money again. So I decided to enter the Tim Hortons with my dog to purchase my coffee, considering that the previous night they told me I was allowed as long as I wasn't staying, which in this case applied as well. I waited about 10 minutes in line, had two (2) friendly customers in front of me talk and pet my dog. To then get to the counter to be ready to order. At this point, I believe his name is Brent, started attacking me in regards to my dog. He was being very cocky in his ways. The first thing he says to me is " Is this a seeing eye dog?" in a very humorous yet degrading way. I respond thinking ok he's just joking around, and I say yes. But then he responds "really?" At this point I realized he wasn't kidding. He basically insulted and humiliated me in front of the entire store. I informed him that I am aware that dogs are not allowed, however that I was told last night that if I wasn't staying I could order my coffee with my dog inside. Brent, was very rude, insulting to me. He treated me like a criminal because I had a dog. He basically kept smiling in a very annoyed way. Told me that I would be served at THIS cash only and then said that I needed to wait my turn as I started approaching it. I can't even described the humiliation that I felt. I actually felt like crying in the store (in which I did on my walk back home). I asked him to speak with the general manager of this store, and he informed me that he was, however I knew he wasn't, one of the girls went to get the manager from the back (at this point Brent was telling me to leave). So the general manager came in, and she was much nicer. She acknowledge me a person/human and not some criminal. I describe to her the situation and how Brent had approached me and how rude he was to me. I also acknowledge the fact that yes, I know dogs are not allowed in food establishment, however that the people working the night before informed me that I was allowed as long as I wasn't staying. My concern here is that, I was treated in such a horrible manner only because I brought my dog in to buy a coffee. If there would have been some kind of pole or something by the door outside, I would not have a problem tying my dog outside. Not to mention that I was miss informed the night before.
Because of this situation, I am taken back at how someone can be so cruel in regards to an issue that could have been resolved at a much lesser, vicious way. I am afraid to go back to this Tim Hortons. This has bothered me so much, that I cried all the way back home. What turned out to be a nice walk ended up in a very stressful afternoon. Maybe I'm to sensitive, but I don't believe anyone should have to go through something like that when they want to go buy a coffee. I highly doubt he will be repremanded for his behavior, and will probably do this again to someone else. I'm not saying he was wrong for dictating Tim Horton's policy, what I'm saying is there is a better way of doing it, then to make someone feel so small and humiliated, without knowing the reasons... I have a bad view of Tim Horton now that I have experienced this. I believe that as a company they should be hiring individuals that reflect Tim Horton's values. This individual did not. I really hope there is something that can be done, I would hate to see someone else go through this.
This Tim Hortons is located in Ottawa, Ontario CanadaIn Bells Corner on Robertson road. Beside the Dairy Queen
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