Okay Edmonton, some of you seriously got to get back on your meds.
To the Social Justice Worrior on the rout 901 around 3:00 today September 11, Please please please check yourself before you wreck yourself.
Lets unpack what you said:
You asked a service dog handler (MY PARTNER) if her service dog was a “SEARCH AND RESCUE DOG” S&R dogs, do not have public access rights, and though they are a task trained dog, they are not generally granted public access. For the record, that adorable yellow girl, the one in full harness and connected by a leash, and more behaved than your pinky finger, yeah she is a Program trained “GUIDE DOG”
You seemed to be bothered by my staring at you like you were / are stupid. BTW, does me not blinking upset you? And yes, you are incredibly stupid.
You telling me to go suck your rubber dick. Sorry, desperation and Gonorrhea don’t particularly taste great, so i will have to pass.
I do have to tell you, you are right, people are claiming their pet dogs as service dogs all to often, and that is in fact illegal; however, there are a vast majority of service dog handlers who know the laws just a little better than you claim, and who in fact are actually working with task trained service dogs. As a random citizen on a bus, you do not have the lawful right to inquire about a dog being a service dog, especially if there are no causes for concern, such as bad behaviour or if the dog looks incredibly stressed by the experience. You, and your actions are actually what is wrong with the demographic of uneducated individuals on the laws around service animals, those who desire to fake their dogs as service dogs etc. Your total lack of understanding of the law around service dogs, guide dogs, and what constitutes as a service or guide dog are absolutely a larger problem than the number of people trying to pass Fluffy off as a service dog. (Sorry Fluffy, if you are a task trained service dog.)
Oh, and your comment about me trying to get in the service dog handlers pants, well the jokes on you since she is kinda already my partner, and has been for over 6 years, soooo… I’ll just leave it at that.
To the two women sitting near my partner and her labradorable, none of that was your fault! You’re awesome!
To you, the crazy bitch who got off at Groat Road and 107th ave, i implore you to seek help, educate yourself on the laws, and learn to back off when you are wrong.
Tag: Irritation
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Letter to Edmonton
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Service Dog Ride Refusal: A Frustrating Reality
Many people are aware of the high rate of ride refusals experienced by service dog handlers using ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft. I recently experienced this firsthand, and I want to share my story to illustrate the impact these refusals have. This incident occurred on January 31, 2025, in Edmonton, Alberta, where the temperature was a frigid -20C with blowing snow.
I was leaving my union office, where I’ve been working temporarily during a school board support staff strike. Given the harsh weather and poor sidewalk conditions, I decided to book a ride instead of walking. Unfortunately, what should have been a simple ride home turned into a frustrating and disheartening experience.
I was initially matched with a driver named Fateh. Upon arrival, he refused to transport me and my guide dog, claiming a “no dogs allowed” policy. He then proceeded to spread misinformation about Lyft’s policies, his supposed lack of English proficiency, and other excuses. When I attempted to show him my service dog identification card, which clearly outlines his legal obligations under provincial law, he drove away.
The Impact of Refusal
This refusal had a ripple effect. My guide dog sensed my distress, experiencing the same negative emotions without understanding or being able to alleviate the situation. The dog was also exposed to the increasingly cold and uncomfortable weather. Passersby witnessed the incident with visible confusion and a sense of helplessness.
Personally, I experienced a range of emotions. Initially, I felt irritation at having to constantly defend my legal rights. This quickly escalated to anger—anger at the repeated refusals, the powerlessness to prevent them, and the fact that I was now stranded due to someone’s ignorance. Finally, I felt a sense of utter frustration and despair. What’s the point of fighting for change, I wondered? What’s the point of having legal protections if they aren’t enforced?
The Aftermath
This experience ruined the start of my weekend. It left me feeling psychologically drained, frustrated, and demoralized. Beyond filing complaints with Lyft (and receiving a paltry $10 credit for the inconvenience), I now face the added burden of filing a complaint with 311 for bylaw enforcement, a process that could involve a lengthy investigation and even a court appearance.
The larger question remains: what will it take to create real change? What needs to happen for these companies and their drivers to respect the law and the rights of service dog handlers? I’m exhausted, frustrated, and frankly, sick of this constant struggle.