10/12/2026
I hate to be a "Karen," but what the actual f**k?!
As a service dog handler, seeing things like this genuinely makes me angry.
Not only is this person defending putting her "service dog" in a Target shopping cart, but there are also photos of this puppy sitting on a chair at Starbucks.
SERVICE DOGS DO NOT BELONG IN SHOPPING CARTS OR ON RESTAURANT FURNITURE!
I don't care how clean your dog is or whether you think it's cleaner than someone's children. That's not the point! The ADA specifically addresses shopping carts, and businesses aren't required to allow service dogs on customer seating.
What bothers me even more is how young this puppy appears to be. While I can't determine its exact age from photos, I seriously question whether a puppy this young has completed the training necessary to be considered a fully trained service dog.
Yes, there's no legal minimum age for a service dog under the ADA, but there's a HUGE difference between a prospect, a service dog in training, and a fully trained service dog.
Maple is a perfect example. Her goal is service work, but she's still a PROSPECT. I'm not going to rush her or give her a title she hasn't earned just because I need a successor for King.
I'm not questioning this person's disability, and I don't agree with anyone screaming at another person in public. But that doesn't make the original concern wrong!
Being disabled doesn't automatically make your dog a service dog, and planning to train a puppy doesn't mean it's already trained.
These were publicly shared posts, and I'm discussing the behavior, not encouraging harassment.
As handlers, we advocate for our rights constantly, but those rights come with responsibilities too.
We need to do better, not just for ourselves, but for every legitimate service dog team out there.
