06/07/2026
I spend a lot of time talking about the challenges service dog handlers face in public, so today I want to give credit where credit is due.
Last week, I had an interaction at my local Publix that left me frustrated.
I spoke with a manager regarding their service dog policy because our area has seen a huge increase in pet dogs being brought into stores. During that conversation, I was told they would not be asking every dog owner the ADAβs two permitted questions and that if I had an issue with a dog in the store, I could come find a manager and they would handle it then.
The problem is that by the time thereβs an issue, there has already been an issue. As a service dog handler, I shouldnβt have to wait until a dog is barking, lunging, attacking, or creating a disruption before something is done. I should be able to grocery shop safely in the first place and honestly, at the end of the day, if something were to happen, my priorities protecting my dog and Iβm more likely to leave then try to remove myself and then go find management and cause a whole scene. οΏΌ
After thinking about it, I decided to reach out to corporate because I felt the response I received didnβt align with the companyβs stated service animal policy.
I was so impressed with their response and how they handled it. Not only did corporate take my concerns seriously, but they also followed up. The storeβs head manager personally called me to discuss what happened, let me know the situation had been addressed, and shared that they had held a team meeting regarding service dogs and store policies.
What stood out to me most was that he listened. He understood the concerns. He acknowledged the challenges our beach community faces with people bringing pet dogs into places they donβt belong.
He didnβt treat it like I was being difficult for bringing it up.
As a service dog handler, that means a lot. Too often these conversations are brushed off as βnot our problemβ or βjust ignore it.β But accessibility and safety matters and when businesses take concerns seriously instead of dismissing them, it makes a real difference.
Publix was already one of my favorite grocery stores, but this experience honestly solidified that for me. Not because they were perfect from the start; but because when a concern was brought to their attention, they listened, communicated, educated their staff, and worked to make it right.
Thatβs all most of us are asking for. Not perfection, just a willingness to care. So thank you to the team that took the time to hear me out and address the issue. Positive experiences deserve to be shared just as much as the negative ones.