Enough to Make Potential Guide Dog Owners Hesitate to Get One

Submitted by Joe (United States), Nov 20, 2014 at 07:14

I'm debating whether or not to go back for a second Seeing Eye dog after my first one passed away from cancer three years ago. In doing my research, I came across your article, and it really saddens me to think there is still so much discrimination against proper service animals. Yes, I know there have been a number of people with fake service animals who make things bad for genuine people with disabilities, which is why I am okay with showing identification validating the training of the dog in question.

But, regarding Muslims and service animals, I wish there were a good way to educate business owners and transportation providers. I would hate for my religious beliefs to be impeded, but surely the Muslim faith says something about compassion for others. There just aren't enough blind people with guide dogs for me to believe one's religious faith is under constant attack. In a worse case scenario, they wash and clean according to scripture. I would think it would almost be a humbling experience to be able to serve others and remain so adherent to Islamic doctrine.

Let's be clear though, it's not just Muslim business people. It's also Chinese culture. I have had more trouble with Chinese misconceptions than I ever had with Muslims when I handled my first guide dog. So, it's a lack of societal education and is not limited to one faith or one minority.

For me, it's just regrettable that public education needs to be one of the factors I consider when thinking about returning to The Seeing Eye. It'd be nice to be able to go in and out of public establishments without fear of having to cause a scene by a business person who refuses to be shown the law.

Thanks for documenting these cases. Hopefully, some sort of a consensus can be reached.

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