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Karel Cast

Businesses Teach Your Employees Service Dog Rules or Suffer the Consequences

By Charles Karel Bouley

It should have been a lovely lunch at The Mint Bistro on Durango in Las Vegas, NV. An Indian restaurant with a heavily vegan buffet, it’s known for it’s food and flavors. I was tired of being excluded from trying it, so decided to go back. You see, in 2020 I tried to go for lunch, but the employees turned me away. 

Why? Because I have a Service Dog; not an emotional support animal, but a real-life service dog used to alert me should I need medication for my A-Fib and also to help mitigate PTSD-induced panic attacks. Now, already I’ve told you, the reader, more than any establishment is allowed to ask under the law, but I wanted to be clear that Ember is needed; she can tell me before I know that I’m in A-Fib and alerts me to take medications that can prevent it getting worse and/or having a stroke. She also can sense when I’m about to have a panic attack and can mitigate that, alerting me to either remove myself from the situation or take meds. And she’s darn cute while doing it, all 14 pounds of her. Before her, I was panicked all the time going out. Is Afib going to start? Will I know? And I have PTSD, real, in my chart, seeing psychiatrist for many years PTSD. It got so bad I would often just stay home instead of going out. But she changed that.

Now, I shouldn’t have to explain that to you, or anyone, but I often find myself justifying her service because of all the fake service animals out there, people that just want to take their pets with them (which I really don’t mind) so they go on the internet and buy a fake card, and take a dog with zero training in to public situations. They bark, bite, get on the table…they do things real service dogs don’t. And they ruin it for many.

Ember is trained. She’s trained about loud noises. She’s trained not to respond to petting or humans unless I let her; she’s trained to fly, to be with me at the doctors, she’s been through MRI’s, CTs, Dental appointments. She’s been with me literally almost every hour of our lives for seven years, usually with no problems. Until there is.

Like at Mint Bistro in Las Vegas three years ago when I tried to enter and they flat out refused me. Now, under the law any business can ask me two questions. Here’s the rules from the ADA:

Where Service Animals Are Allowed
Under the ADA, State and local governments, businesses, and nonprofit organizations that serve the public generally must allow service animals to accompany people with disabilities in all areas of the facility where the public is allowed to go. For example, in a hospital it usually would be inappropriate to exclude a service animal from areas such as patient rooms, clinics, cafeterias, or examination rooms. However, it may be appropriate to exclude a service animal from operating rooms or burn units where the animal’s presence may compromise a sterile environment.
Service Animals Must Be Under Control
A service animal must be under the control of its handler. Under the ADA, service animals must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered, unless the individual’s disability prevents using these devices or these devices interfere with the service animal’s safe, effective performance of tasks. In that case, the individual must maintain control of the animal through voice, signal, or other effective controls.
Inquiries, Exclusions, Charges, and Other Specific Rules Related to Service Animals
When it is not obvious what service an animal provides, only limited inquiries are allowed. Staff may ask two questions: (1) is the dog a service animal required because of a disability, and (2) what work or task has the dog been trained to perform. Staff cannot ask about the person’s disability, require medical documentation, require a special identification card or training documentation for the dog, or ask that the dog demonstrate its ability to perform the work or task.
Allergies and fear of dogs are not valid reasons for denying access or refusing service to people using service animals. When a person who is allergic to dog dander and a person who uses a service animal must spend time in the same room or facility, for example, in a school classroom or at a homeless shelter, they both should be accommodated by assigning them, if possible, to different locations within the room or different rooms in the facility.
A person with a disability cannot be asked to remove his service animal from the premises unless: (1) the dog is out of control and the handler does not take effective action to control it or (2) the dog is not housebroken. When there is a legitimate reason to ask that a service animal be removed, staff must offer the person with the disability the opportunity to obtain goods or services without the animal’s presence.
Establishments that sell or prepare food must generally allow service animals in public areas even if state or local health codes prohibit animals on the premises.
People with disabilities who use service animals cannot be isolated from other patrons, treated less favorably than other patrons, or charged fees that are not charged to other patrons without animals. In addition, if a business requires a deposit or fee to be paid by patrons with pets, it must waive the charge for service animals.
If a business such as a hotel normally charges guests for damage that they cause, a customer with a disability may also be charged for damage caused by himself or his service animal.
Staff are not required to provide care for or supervision of a service animal.

https://www.ada.gov/resources/service-animals-2010-requirements/

So, there’s the rules. I can be asked two questions about Ember: Is she a service dog and; What service is she trained to perform. I cannot be asked about my medical condition, or asked for any type of card or training form about Ember, as there aren’t any official ones yet. 

And yet, that’s exactly what Mint Bistro in Las Vegas has done to me, twice now. The first time, three years back, I just left. I simply didn’t want to bother with it. Why eat where you’re not wanted. I felt terribly, being refused service, angry, all of that, but as a 60 year old gay guy, I’m used to it.

Then there was today, May 11, 2023. You see, I went back to Mint Bistro to give them another chance a few weeks ago, and told the server, Deepen I believe was his name, what had happened a few years earlier and that I thought I’d try it again. He welcomed me, and I enjoyed their buffet’s vegan options like everyone else there. Of course Ember was no trouble, stayed on the floor at my feet, and when we left happily hopped on the motorcycle to go home as always. Well, I guess they had learned their lesson. Well not today, because unlike a few weeks ago it all went South.

Today, I went back and was greeted by a woman. I told her booth for one, and she asked to see Ember’s card. I told her Ember didn’t have a card, no true service animal did, and that she, under the law, could ask me two questions which I’d be happy to answer. She said no, no card, no service. I tried to show her the ADA.gov paperwork online, but nope, she said no. Then, sadly, I began to get angry. Because she was making me feel different, making me feel, well, disabled, less than. She stood there at the door blocking me from coming in, in front of the entire restaurant of people. I have a loud voice. I’m a talk show host. A singer. A stage performer. I implored her to follow the law or get me a manager. She said nope, the owner was in CA on business and she was in charge and was not letting me in without a card. 

But there is no card, yes, I said it loudly, and anyone showing you one bought it off the internet and probably isn’t disabled. She said I had to leave. Get out. She didn’t like my attitude and I did not have a card. She said she had the right to refuse service to anyone, and without the card, she was refusing to serve me, and she also didn’t like my tone. Again, I’m loud, not purposely, I just am. If you know me, or have heard me on the radio or seen me on TV you know, I’m loud.

I left, so hurt, so angry that this had happened, that I was denied entry for lunch because of my service animal. I went home, got my phone, I had forgotten it, and printed out the ADA.gov information above. I went back, rolling tape, and showed her the form. I asked her what part of you shall not ask for a card in the law she didn’t understand. She said she’d give it to her boss, but that I was not coming in without said card. She then apologized not to me, but to the man at the counter who was waiting to pay. 

Well, I’d like to say I didn’t lose it, but I did. I was owed an apology but she was apologizing to others FOR me, the person she is discriminating against. She was making me the bad guy when this place had broken the law, now, twice. I snapped “don’t apologize for me, you should be apologizing to me and to every other disabled person with a service dog that you wrongfully made produce some fictitious card” as I went out the door.

I left, angry, shaking, and went to 9 Thai Bistro where they always welcome us. He could see I was visibly upset. Then Ember went to my right side, and activated. What? Could it be? She lifted her paw to my leg and then my face when I picked her up.

Yup, my Apple Watch confirmed that my upset and stress threw me in to Afib. So I reached in my bag, got my propafenone, took two and sat, dizzy, heart beating 120bpm and waited.  I got food to go, came home, and laid down. Within two hours my Afib ceased, the pills worked. My first bout in months and months. I used to be terrified of them, but with Ember there, I’m not any more. She did her job, alerted me, I took the pills, and it’s all better now.

Thanks, Mint Bistro.

But this isn’t an isolated event. The DOJ just assisted a man in Killeen, TX, where I used to live. He was turned away from a hotel, refused a room, in a wheelchair, a veteran, because the desk clerk didn’t know the law. He sued. And won.

Another lawsuit this year was against Home Depot, who did not let a woman bring her service dog to work with her. She sued, and won.

In fact, there’s over 20 lawsuits that I could find just this year of businesses that have had to settle lawsuits because they, or their employees, didn’t know the way to treat people with service animals.

I don’t care if you think we need them or not, I don’t care if you think everyone is abusing the privilege or not; I truly do not. Yes, there is abuse. And no, not everyone that says their dog is a service dog is one. But not everyone in a wheelchair truly needs it; not everyone on crutches actually needs to be on crutches, do you question them? Some blind people, legally blind, actually have some sight, do you deny they are blind? Do you question every single person with a handicapped plaque or plates (both of which I have for severe back injury), are you one of the ones that stare of them if they don’t “appear” disabled to you? If so, shame on you. Because like service animals yes, those can be abused. But that’s not your call to make.

Businesses need to inform all their employees of my rights, of my ability to not be discriminated against because my heart does weird things or my brain causes me issues. I get to go out where everyone else can go, for the most part, or should have access to the same. Hotels that try and put me in terrible rooms because they are afraid she’ll mess the carpet (she would never), restaurants that seat me far away from others as “not to offend other customers who may have allergies” oh, I’ve been treated second class at many a place because I have her. And it’s wrong.

What Mint Bistro has done to me is wrong. What it has done to others in Las Vegas asking for a card that doesn’t exist, is wrong. And if the owner doesn’t know it, and has been informed (I informed them three years ago) then yes, he should be sued. By me, and every one he’s turned away or asked to jump through a different hoop than other customers. I may, I may not, but that’s not the point. I don’t want revenge, I want education. I want him to take all his employees and train them to stop discriminating against people with service animals. I want them to be informed, and as welcoming to those of us that have them as any other customer. I want to be treated the same.

Businesses, get your act together and follow the law. She is trained. She is needed. And she is legal. Ask the questions, I’ll answer. Anyone with a real service animal WILL answer.

But don’t deny me or them service. Don’t treat me or them less than. It hurts. It doesn’t feel good. It causes actual health problems for some, or worsens their conditions.

Learn the rules. If a dog isn’t trained, barks at customers, is unruly, then no, it’s probably not a real service dog and you have every right to object. If the person has some card that says service dog, they bought it, it’s not real. But if a well mannered dog, wearing an orange vest that says service dog is with someone that has a disability, don’t ask them for a card. Don’t make them feel “other” or unwanted. 

It’s just plain wrong. And it’s against the law.

Cannabis: My Heart’s No Longer In It

Cannabis: My Heart’s No Longer In It, And Yours Might Not Be Either

By Charles Karel Bouley II

Cannabis oil hemp oil with cannabis seeds and cannabis leaves at white table. Top view with copy space.

I have used cannabis for the better part of 40 years. I have been a huge proponent on radio, television, in print. I rejoiced when it became legal for medical use, and then recreational. I marveled at the new dispensary system, so different from back alleys or clandestine meetings. It helped my late husband through AIDS and helped me detox from opiates. I have heralded it as a wonder drug for stress, pain, anxiety and so much more. Because compared to the alternatives, benzos, opiates, alcohol the effects on the body are so much less. 

And I was right. And I was wrong.

It is not a harmless drug. It has side effects and it does, in fact, cause withdrawals. And if you have coronary artery disease, as so many do (CAD), high cholesterol, high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, dilated aorta (thoracic or abdominal) or a host of other diseases it could actually be making things much worse.

I can only speak for myself, and doctors can’t really counsel you fully because either they are simply anti-cannabis or simply don’t have the data. But the data is starting to come in, and for your heart, it’s not all cut and dry.

I have high blood pressure, and a dilated thoracic aorta currently at 4.3 cm. At 5.0 I see a surgeon and 5.5 they crack my chest and fix it. The way they treat it is by keeping your heart from pumping too hard, keeping blood pressure down, keeping the pressure in the hoses that go to your heart with as little stress as possible. So pot should be good, right? I mean, it’s an anti-anxiety drug, right? Yes, and no.

A recent study out of Great Britain, and it is far from perfect, shows that if you are under 50 your chance of serious heart implications after consuming cannabis could be as high as 30% or more. Nasty things like myocardial infarction and other cardiovascular implications. Now, some of these people smoked cigarettes and we know the horrifying things tobacco does. And they smoked the cannabis, not vaporized or ate it. So the study is by far not definitive. 

Female doctor with stethoscope holding red heart

However, we do know a few things. First, pot makes your heart beat faster and harder. Shortly after using it your blood pressure goes up, and your heart has to work harder to get the same amount of blood and oxygen to your body. Your heart will adjust in time, and adapt, but that’s not a good thing. More on that later. Internally, it inflames your epithelial cells, the cells that line your arterial walls. And it makes the lining more prone to hold on to nasty little things like chunks of cholesterol. So elevated heart rate, higher blood pressure initially, inflammation of arteries, higher cholesterol propensity. And as for anxiety, smaller amounts do, in fact, relieve anxiety. However, larger amounts actually increase it.

But I need it for sleep, you say. Well, cannabis effects dreams and dreaming. Short term use is a Godsend for those who have PTSD, MS and other things that can interrupt sleep like restless legs, and keeps you in a deeper sleep longer. However, it effects REM sleep, where you dream, process emotions and cement new memories. Now, this is great if you are having nightmares from PTSD and night terrors. But, it’s not so great for healthy individuals. You need REM sleep. 

But again, this is all individual. Cannabis does help people, and it is less horrifying than other prescription drugs. And once a month use doesn’t show much of any harm, even over a full weekend. But daily use, that’s a different story. And many times throughout the day, well…

Two weeks ago I was doing what I always do, vaporizing using the Volcano (recommended by the CDC as the only way to vape) to the tune of one-quarter ounce a week, or a little over an ounce a month. Every evening I had three-to-four gummies, 10mg each, so 30 to 40mg of THC on top of the vaporizing. 

And all the while eating right (vegan), exercising daily and wondering why my blood pressure wasn’t perfect and why my aorta was still going. Also wondering why I was slightly polycythemic, too many red blood cells, hemoglobin and hemocrit. And then there’s the debilitating medical anxiety that has been bane of my existence for a decade or more, that not one psychiatrist can truly solve. 

So, a week ago, I woke up and started doing the math. My own math, not yours, not anyone’s, And maybe it’s not correct equations, maybe I’ve got it all wrong but…

First, with an expanding aorta you want lower blood pressure, and a heart that’s not pounding out of your chest like mine has been climbing stairs, running up hills, jogging. I need a heart that stays in rhythm, not one that has gone in to A-fib four times over the last two years and needed medication to get it out. Not a heart that throws PVCs (pre-ventricular contractions) at will, or gets rapid quickly, makes me dizzy and then passes. I said out loud two weeks ago I want one day where my heart doesn’t make me feel what it’s doing in my chest. But what was I willing to do for it? 

canna

So, knowing that pot raises blood pressure even temporarily, and knowing I didn’t want a pounding muscle that I could see beating in my chest all the time since I was working so hard to protect, I thought, maybe give up your 40 year habit?

Knowing pot reduces the amount of oxygen in the blood, and that red blood cells carry oxygen and that I work out at least two hours a day so my oxygen demand is big, maybe, just maybe I wouldn’t overproduce red blood cells if I wasn’t depriving my blood of oxygen with cannabis on the regular. 

Knowing that large amounts increase anxiety and my medical anxiety has been off the charts, maybe I should stop something that could increase anxiety. 

It’s all a maybe. Maybe this could not encourage my aorta to grow. Maybe my heart and brain doesn’t need what cannabis does any more. Maybe it’s time, in my 60s, to be cannabis free.

So five days ago, I quit. And what has this benign wonder drug done to me as I said goodbye to it?

The first few days, my blood pressure soared from 120/70 to 150/90 or higher. Sleep became a thing of the past, as my legs ran in bed, and the dreams were like blockbuster movie after blockbuster movie all observed from a lucid kind of state. Hot flashes made me think I was having Man-O-Pause and my mood? Well, Sybill or Mommie Dearest had nothing up on me, joyous one minute, angry the next. My brain began to flood with thousands of things I needed to do, to get done, to attend to quickly. 

Day five, last night, I slept five hours, and the dreams are getting easier. But I feel…great. I can’t believe how good I feel. My brain is calming, medical anxiety, while still here, is not off the charts. Tomorrow I get a bubble echocardiogram, where they put saline with air bubbles through my veins to see how my heart and aorta are doing. I know my aorta will be bigger, but I’m hopeful next year, not so much. I am more focused, less dizzy, and my heart has stopped flipping and flopping so much, stopped beating so hard at every single moment or walking up stairs. 

In other words, I’m better without cannabis so far. And I don’t like a drug that has that much control over me should I try and stop it. I mean, I quit opiates cold turkey, and this is nothing compared to that, but it is still detox. I wasn’t addicted, but my body certainly isn’t happy that I’ve stopped.

But I am. So happy, I’ve gotten a few friends to do the same. You see, there is no real casual use of cannabis. Once you like it, you like it. You do it. It’s legal most places and readily available. I applaud Snoop and Willie and people whose heart, arteries, brain don’t mind the effects. But my heart, my arteries, my brain, they’re happier.

And maybe yours would be too, if you have any kind of cardiovascular issues. Talk to your doctor. Talk to them honestly about CAD, about arrhythmias, blood pressure, sleep and if cannabis is helping or possibly hurting. 

And talk to yourself. Honestly. Do you really, truly need what it is doing, are the benefits worth the risks. Because if you have any cardiac condition, there are risks. Any drug carries risks, and cannabis does as well. Those in hospice, end of life, with PTSD and other drugs who don’t have any cardiac issues, those with chronic pain that don’t want opiates and don’t have cardiac issues, yes, I still say, cannabis is better.

It’s just not better for me. It’s not better for people with high blood pressure, expanding aortas, trouble with anxiety, people with Coronary Artery Disease. It can worsen these conditions, we know this. 

How bad, we don’t know. And yes, there’s some research that says the opposite. 

But if there’s a chance it’s making your heart worse, your blood pressure higher, your CAD worse, even a chance, are the benefits worth it? For many yes, for me, and maybe you, maybe not.

I will say goodbye to cannabis for the next decade, I will face climate change, political upheaval and single life as an aging gay senior sober. I can’t drink alcohol, it triggers a-fib and neither Huey Lewis nor I have found a new drug, one that won’t make us sick….

If you have no issues with cannabis, good for you. If your heart is fine, your anxiety OK, if it works for you, great. 

I’m going to see if just a few of my issues can be helped by not taking cannabis. I’ll be a test subject. We’ll see if my aorta slows down, if my BP remains more controlled, if my medical anxiety lessens, if my pounding heart quiets some.

Maybe it will. Maybe not. But I feel better without my constant friend of 40 years right now. More alive, more, present.

I don’t know what the future holds. But I want to be more present in it right now. Tribulations, health challenges and all. 

And for that, cannabis must go for now. For me. Maybe for you.

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