Profile For Stacie T.

I realize that this is an older discussion thread, but hopefully it’s still okay to participate.

Thank you for your service. 🇺🇸 And thanks for discussing your service dog. This has been a topic that I’ve been researching, as I’m studying to take the KS CLP test.

I rely on my ADA trained SD daily for tasks (including public access), and he’s simply an extension of me that helps me be my best. He’s 3 1/2 now, and we’ve been a team since he was 13 weeks old.

His presence & tasks would not exclude me from earning my DOT medical card, nor make me “less than” at any job function that have been discussed about any trucker’s day-to-day jobs.

I’ve been researching service dogs in the trucking industry, because I am concerned about 2 actual or perceived barriers: I’m a woman AND I have a service dog.

I would appreciate any advice or feedback that you could provide.

Thanks! Stacie

Many of the medical reasons that a service dog would be used for would disqualify someone from obtaining their CDL anyways. Seizure disorders, sight, hearing, extreme blood sugar shifts, psychotic episode disorders, mental diseases. If someone needs a true service dog, it's not for something benign.

So someone with depression shouldn't be allowed to drive? Or PTSD? Well there goes 80% of your workforce and most veterans.

The biggest problem with this entire subject is people trying to dictate or influence when they have absolutely no first hand knowledge on it.

As an Iraq Marine vet, my service dog, makes life almost normal. She provides stability and mobility assurance due to an equilibrium issue. She also provides an assortment of other functions. Reminders to take medication, PTSD mitigation, and behavioral assistance. Just because you need help, doesn't mean you have to be a lost cause.

The main issue I face on a day to day basis is the ignorance of people. Between shippers not taking the extra 2 seconds to look at her vest, and the fact she is supposed to be a so called "vicious breed" lol. The only true issue I have is at food warehouses. As these are usually GMP facilities ( FDA guidelines on food sanitation), however since I do "no touch" freight, i am usually only in the shippers office ( where there are no risks of contamination.

Still, at least once a week, someone will yell at me to get my dog out of their building. I politely inform them that she is a protected requirement and sometimes they just have me stay in the truck and bring my bills to me. All in all, I gladly stand up for my baby. She makes my life complete, and allows me a little piece of normal life.

If you have a Service Dog ( by the way there is no such thing as a "certified" service animal) then a company can't discriminate because of it. Regardless of whether or not they allow pets in their company policy. Also they can not charge a deposit, same as hotels. However you are still responsible for any damages or excessive wear.

As for the emotional support dog topic. Yes the ADA has stated that a service dog must perform a function, actively. ESAs and therapy dogs are no longer covered the same.