Confusion about role of service animals for disabled cited w/ service animal information

By Roger McKinney

rmckinney@joplinglobe.com

A disagreement Wednesday morning between a woman with multiple sclerosis who uses a service dog and workers at a Joplin business appears to highlight confusion about the role of service animals in society.

Daryl Felkins in January moved to Carl Junction from Lee’s Summit to help care for her father.

Felkins has multiple sclerosis and relies on a yellow Labrador retriever, Huey, as a service dog. She said Huey helps her with mobility and stability, and picks things up for her when she drops them. She said Huey was trained specifically to meet her requirements.

Felkins on Wednesday morning went with her father and Huey to Dude’s Daylight Donut Shop at 2316 Main St. in Joplin. She ordered $3 worth of coffee and doughnuts, then sat down with her father.

“I don’t think they saw the dog until we sat down,” Felkins said.

Allen Pendergraft, son of the shop owner, said that is correct. He said he told Felkins that dogs are not allowed in the shop.

“She got very defensive about it, as we did,” Pendergraft said. “She was cocked and ready to go.”

Felkins said a man in the back with a mustache, who she assumed to be the shop owner, told her that because she isn’t blind, she would have to prove her disability.

“He’s got a service-dog harness and an identification tag,” Felkins said of Huey. “It’s very obvious that he’s a service dog. I read the state statute to them. We are supposed to call the police if we’re ever refused access.”

Felkins said Huey has been in hospitals and every type of business.

“The conversation went on for about 10 minutes,” Felkins said. “I said I have to educate people.”

Pendergraft said it was a misunderstanding.

“She had not identified herself as being disabled,” he said. “I said, ‘We don’t allow dogs.’ It got a little heated. Dad doesn’t like anybody telling him what to do. But we know the law, and we conceded.”