Walgreen's - Compensate Disabled Vet with Service Dog Told to Leave Store!

  • by: SUE LEE
  • recipient: Walgreen's Corporation

Please sign and share this petition worldwide in an effort to get Walgreen's Corporation to compensate a disabled veteran who was told to leave the Texas store because he was not allowed to bring in his service dog while stopping for a beverage. So many businesses like this one are just not educated enough on the laws involving service dogs and although there are people who try to get in places with a "fake service" dog, legal owners have proof and Walgreen's did not even ask for it; they just told the man to leave. This is clearly a violation of his rights!

A disabled veteran of the United States Marine Corp, Christopher Goodson, travels everywhere with his service dog, Ben, who assists him in daily functions. When he entered a Texas Walgreens to get a beverage, he claims that the manage clearly stated to “get the dog out.” “He could have walked up and discreetly asked me, ‘Is this a service dog?’” said Goodson.

Mr. Goodson was never asked for his special tag and ID card that clearly showed Ben is his service dog. The animal was not wearing its vest that day due to extreme heat but his owner would have been happy to provide proof that he is indeed a service dog. However, the manager and staff would not even listen to what Mr. Goodson was saying and his efforts to prove his need to bring Ben with him on daily tasks. “Everything I was telling him, he was just blowing it off,” said Goodson.

Part of the altercation between Goodson and the store manager was caught on tape by Goodson’s wife.   Goodson can be found cursing on the video. “Yes, I did use profanity with him, but he had me that mad,” Goodson. said.  “He showed that much disregard for my personal feelings." Goodson has the support of Ben because of his chronic post-traumatic stress disorder and depression. Ben helps him deal with depression and nightmares from his service in Afghanistan. This not the first time Goodson has encountered a situation such as this. He does claim it is the first time it was handled unprofessionally.

After the incident, a Walgreen's spokesperson claims that “Service animals are welcome in our stores, and we understand the help they provide….we will make sure our employees at this store fully understand the rights for use of service animals.” This should have already been done so that others like Mr. Goodson are not discriminated in such a manner.   Please sign and share this petition worldwide in an effort to get Walgreen's Corporation to compensate a disabled veteran who was told to leave the Texas store because he was not allowed to bring in his service dog while stopping for a beverage. So many businesses like this one are just not educated enough on the laws involving service dogs and although there are people who try to get in places with a "fake service" dog, legal owners have proof and Walgreen's did not even ask for it; they just told the man to leave. This is clearly a violation of his rights!

Walgreen's Corporation - The staff and managers at your Texas store needs to whole heartedly apologize to Mr. Goodson for the discrimination and humiliation he must have felt when refused service because he brought his service dog into the store.  No one would even acknowledge that he had proof it was a service dog and listen to his pleas.  You need to educate all your staff and managers in all of your stores nationwide about the laws regarding service dogs so this does not happen to another person because Mr. Goodson, a disable Vet clearly had his rights violated!

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