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Woman and Service Dog Denied Entry into Game

Occurred on August 26, 2018 / Tulsa, Oklahoma, Tulsa

Info from Licensor: "Tonight my family, myself, and my service dog went to a Tulsa Drillers game at the Oneok field. This is not the first time I have went with my service dog. Immediately upon entering the field, the ticketer stopped me and told me she wasn't going to allow my service dog to accompany me although she has her service dog vest and tags on, which are not by law required, but meant to prevent things as such from happening. I kindly explained to the woman that she was a service dog. . . . she looked down, chuckled and said 'She is not a service dog' I then pulled out her registration card and she replies with an entire line of people behind me 'what disability do you have that requires you to have a service dog' I kindly explained to her that it was a personal thing I did not wish to share with her or the entire line of people behind me and by law she was only allowed to ask me if she was a service dog. She cannot legally ask me what my disability is. She briefly argued with me that by law she was allowed to ask questions about my disability and then called over a woman she identified as her supervisor. The woman claiming to be her supervisor begins to ask me the same thing 'What disability qualifies you to have a service dog'. I again kindly explain to her that I do not wish to share the details of my disability with her or the line of people behind me that Madalyn was in fact a service dog and that I have that right under the federal ADA laws. She continues to threaten me that I will not get in the baseball field unless I tell her what my disability is. I finally felt so embarrassed I explained to her and the entire line of people still waiting patiently to get in what my disability is. As shown in the video the man continues for over six minutes repeatedly demanding I explain things to him about my disability and her services and continues stating she is not a service dog but rather an 'emotional support animal' I continue to explain to him that I have PTSD and she is registered for psychiatric reasons. He also argues the length of training that she must have in order to qualify as a service dog and insists on continuing to refer to her as an 'emotional support animal'. He demanded I go into specifics with him and refused to let me into the park continually referring to her as an ESA. I am not one to typically complain when treated unfairly, but this man broke the law. Because my disability is not visible and I do not want to explain in detail that I have PTSD and my dog provides emotional support to prevent me from having panic and anxiety attacks in public does not mean I have any less rights to the laws as a blind person that needs their dog to see. I didn't ask for this disability and it's something I have to struggle with every day. If I didn't have my service dog to assist me in not having panic and anxiety attacks, I wouldn't be able to even go out in public! Being treated like this was absolutely uncalled for, illegal, unethical and outright unprofessional. I will be contacting upper management tomorrow and reporting Mark and his crew however, I am asking that you please share this to get the word out. What Mark caused for me tonight was very hurtful emotionally. I want to share this to prevent it from happening to myself or another person again. Rather it be at this business or any other business, people need to know the rights disabled people and service animals have, especially if they are going to take things to the extent Mark did. Share this and help stop discrimination against mental disabilities."

Location Tulsa, Oklahoma, Tulsa
Occurred Aug-26-2018
Posted By Natalia Duran
Posted On Sep-8-2018

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