[HisNameIsHarley]

I talked to my boss (because she raised Guiding Eyes dogs for over 15 years) and she said that people can take their animals into stores and state that they are their therapy dogs but if they are challenged by the manager to show proof they must provide paperwork that also includes a contact number for verification from their doctor stating that this dog is in fact their therapy dog. No one however, has the right to ask 'what is wrong with you'. If someone cannot provide the proper paperwork, then they can be asked to leave.

I think this is fair.

Please feel free to skip the following - It's kind of my way of venting.

I suffer from bipolar disorder, depression and panic attacks. I stopped attending college because of it. And now I'm wondering if I could go back if I had him at my side to help me. I'm not some crazy person but I have a hard time just functioning in everyday situations that would seem like nothing to most of you. Going to Walmart or out to dinner with all those people or going to classes on campus, or going to the movies etc are all huge challenges for me. I've always wondered if I would do a little better if I had one of my furry compainions with me. I work at a dog shelter with a pretty highstress job and I deal with a lot of nasty, short tempered people. (we have a low cost spay/neuter program and I think some people feel the need to get defensive and nasty when they use our program because I guess they feel like we look down on them) I would have expected to have a harder time dealing with it but I do just fine at work. And I believe it's because every day, no matter what, there is a dog at my feet while I'm in my office. I plan to discuss this with my doctor sometime next month. Although, I think it would be neat to let everyone take their dogs anywhere, I worry about it being abused. Even now with me considering to ask my doctor for a 'prescription for my dog' I almost feel selfish. Like I'm trying to seem more important than others. But I guess, in the end if having him with me allows me and others to actually get through the day without a panic attack, and maybe one day even get through the day without needing a handful of prescriptions.. Then I think it's worth it..