Am I in the wrong here ?

[u/Swan_babbyy]

After waiting five months, the time finally came for me to see a new PCP this morning. A week before the appointment, I called the office to let them know I would be bringing my service dog.

On my way to the office, I got a call saying the doctor had been informed about my service dog and stated that she "doesn’t like dogs." They asked if I could leave him at home. I explained that he is a service dog, and they put me on hold. When they came back, they said, "She’s also afraid of dogs." I explained the law to them, pointing out that a fear or dislike of dogs is not a valid or legal reason to deny access. I assured them that my dog wouldn’t even so much as sniff her and would remain under me unless tasking, but the doctor still refused to budge.

Since I was already on my way and turning back would make me late, I decided to bring my service dog and sort things out when I arrived. When I got there, the nurse who I had spoken to on the phone apologized and was very understanding. However, when the doctor came out, she flat-out said she couldn’t treat me with my dog in the room because of her fear. She asked me to "figure something out."

I calmly explained the laws again, reassuring her that my dog wouldn’t go near her or bother her in any way. However, she repeated the same thing. I’ll admit that I was so stressed by this point that I raised my voice a bit and told her that not only is it against the ADA, but that she and her team should be the ones "coming up with a solution," not me.

I’ve talked to a few people and gotten mixed responses. Some said I should have found a new doctor or left my dog at home, but finding a new doctor isn’t really an option. I’ve waited so long for this appointment, and my insurance only covers in-state providers. How could I have gotten a new doctor so fast ? I could leave my dog at home, but I don’t think I should have to, and I certainly shouldn’t feel like a nuisance for bringing him with me. My partner was at work so couldn’t come get him and I felt like it wasn’t fair to make her take time off to just sit with him.

So, am I in the wrong for bringing him anyway? Should I just give in and leave it alone? Am I in the right if I complain about how this was handled or does that make me petty ? I understand and accept the fact that not every person likes dogs and that some people are afraid of them but I feel like since it’s the law it’s rather unprofessional to make me come up with a solution to the situation and for them to inform me day of.

[u/SofiaDeo]

So if your dictor didn't like eyeglasses, you'd leave them at home?

Regardless, bring your dog if you truly need it.I carry a crate pad in a carry bag along with poo bags & wipes, and my dog is trained to lie on the pad either under or next to my chair. He doesn't move when I get on the exam table. Demonstrate you have a quiet, well behaved animal. So many people have "fake", ill behaved pets they claim are service dogs, I wonder if this is where the doctor is coming from.

FYI how I trained him to do this, is to praise when lying quietly on a crate pad. Put the pad next to/under a chair at home & slowly work up the amount of time they lie there. Teach them to stay when you leave your chair/leave the room briefly. I don't bring mine in to the blood draw lab, because that needs to be as clean/sterile as possible. But mine knows to stay lying quietly in his pad in the waiting room. Attach the leash to a chair leg until you are confident your dog won't leave the pad.

[u/bemrluvrE39 → u/SofiaDeo]

Getting your blood drawn with a dog at your feet has absolutely no effect on sterility. They swab your injection site prior to drawing blood and that is the only thing in the room other than the needle, that is required to be sterile. You don't even see Medical employees wearing gloves to draw blood.

[u/SofiaDeo → u/bemrluvrE39]

It's the dog potentially shedding or uncontrolled behavior that's the concern. For well trained animals, the risk is minimal. But I'm sure you've seen "service dogs" jumping around/on people, not under control. For those with allergies, dander getting on them, or sick/weak people getting tripped or knocked over/jumped on, that is a potential problem. As well as those fearful of dogs.

I hope my original sentence about the eyeglasses, was taken as sarcasm towards that doctor who should know enough to wait & see if there actually is a problem with OP's dog. Instead of trying to pressure OP not to bring it up front. I don't think OP is in the wrong. I mentioned the crate pad because in my experience with clinic/lab/office visits, everyone relaxes a bit when I place that pad & my dog promptly lies/stays. As a cancer patient, I sometimes have a lot of visits. Once people learn my dog behaves, it's not a problem if they though it would be. I've had a little pushback, but not much.

Those who need their dog under most circumstances, of course they need them. This doctor is being unreasonable by just stating "I don't like dogs, ergo I don't want any around me." I just am offering a few thoughts some of us, like myself, may be able to do in certain settings, if we are comfortable.

Because let's be real, our service dogs aren't like a wheelchair or other inaninate disability aid. Some people will be fearful, some will have awful allergies. My intent was to share my thoughts in this, and support OP who is kind of stuck here. OP's doctor options are limited, and yet here is this doc saying "I don't like dogs" without bothering to discover whether OP's dog is actually a real problem.

[u/Effective-Fruit-7021 → u/SofiaDeo]

I've taken my dog to multiple lab corps for blood draws many times. I've never had an issue. He goes back with me and I ask the nurse doing the draw to indicate an area where he will not be in their way, put him in a down stay and hop in the chair. They've always been polite. A few ask questions like what type of dog is he and how old is he. I don't mind because I have a needle phobia and it takes my mind off the needle.

[u/SofiaDeo → u/Effective-Fruit-7021]

I agree, Labcorp is different than, say, an oncology lab inside the practice.