Service Dog

I had the most unfortunate experience on a Sunday recently in Ballito. My brother who has a service/assistance dog (similar to a seeing-eye dog) which is clearly identifiable by the red bib she wears, were stopped and questioned in one on the shops at the Lifestyle Centre and the more we explained that it was a service/assistance dog and that he needed the dog, the more they questioned us. Apparently some customers had complained about allowing a dog into the shop!

My reason for the letter is to ask that the shop owners, their staff and the general public take note that there are going to be more and more people with service/assistance dogs and to understand that these dogs are highly trained for their owners who may suffer from Alzheimer’s, autism, diabetes or seizures and their primary function is to ensure the best quality of life for their owners, so it is vital that the staff be trained as to how to handle a situation involving a service/assistance dog for all concerned.

GWEN BOTHA

Ballito

Centre manager Mark Pearse replies:

Thank you for the feedback with regard to your experience at Lifestyle Centre and your brother’s dog.

We certainly apologize for any inconvenience that you or your brother may have experienced. We generally do monitor the presence of dogs in shops at Lifestyle Centre and we use the appropriateness of the dog as a major criteria.

It seems that on this occasion we definitely got it wrong and will use your letter as an information-sharing guide to tenants and shoppers alike!