Where Not to Go in Oklahoma for Help when You Are a Disabled Single Mom with a Service Dog
Things change. One day I was a stay-at-home homeschooling mom and wife. The next night I was in my car with my daughter, my service and my daughter's cat (who was headed to a foster home) looking for a place to sleep. I was also armed with a cell phone that I hoped to use to find us shelter. Unfortunately, I found only closed doors.
Domestic Violence Shelters - I felt like Snoopy - "no dogs allowed." Despite my prescription from my doctor for a service dog and federal laws protecting my rights to have that service dog, when the shelters found out I had a service dog there wasn't room for us. "Yes, we can take you" became "all our rooms are filled" within seconds of hearing I had a service dog. By the way, this was every domestic violence shelter in the state. I know this because a domestic violence center (without a shelter) put us in a motel for a night (no problem with my service dog there) and the advocate and I called each one of the shelters and safe houses.
Homeless Shelters - Homeless shelters turned me, my daughter and my service dog away. As we walked to our car, the people in line behind us were accpeted even though they had just told me they were full. One man made a fuss, yelling "You turned that woman and her daughter away because she's disabled? They could have my room." He was quickly quieted down and escorted inside.
Church Missions - Even church missions refused to help us. Not quite as bold as the domestic violence shelters that refused us, they proudly bragged about not accepting federal aid and being a non-profit organization that could refuse anyone help.
My Mom - Don't knock on my door with a six year old and a service dog. We got the boot and I'm sure you would as well. Once my service dog was in foster care with our cat, we were offered the floor next to the bed in my mom's guestroom. We spend some time there, but only because we have now where else to go.
The moral of the story is do not become homeless if you are disabled with a service dog - no matter where you live. I even contacted states bordering Oklahoma (Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, Texas, New Mexico and Colorado) and got the same results. I did manage to find a few places that "might" help, but they'd have to "see us and the service dog." I don't have the money to drive elsewhere so we are stuck.
Just curious...Anyone know a tough discrimination attorney on a mission?
Domestic Violence Shelters - I felt like Snoopy - "no dogs allowed." Despite my prescription from my doctor for a service dog and federal laws protecting my rights to have that service dog, when the shelters found out I had a service dog there wasn't room for us. "Yes, we can take you" became "all our rooms are filled" within seconds of hearing I had a service dog. By the way, this was every domestic violence shelter in the state. I know this because a domestic violence center (without a shelter) put us in a motel for a night (no problem with my service dog there) and the advocate and I called each one of the shelters and safe houses.
Homeless Shelters - Homeless shelters turned me, my daughter and my service dog away. As we walked to our car, the people in line behind us were accpeted even though they had just told me they were full. One man made a fuss, yelling "You turned that woman and her daughter away because she's disabled? They could have my room." He was quickly quieted down and escorted inside.
Church Missions - Even church missions refused to help us. Not quite as bold as the domestic violence shelters that refused us, they proudly bragged about not accepting federal aid and being a non-profit organization that could refuse anyone help.
My Mom - Don't knock on my door with a six year old and a service dog. We got the boot and I'm sure you would as well. Once my service dog was in foster care with our cat, we were offered the floor next to the bed in my mom's guestroom. We spend some time there, but only because we have now where else to go.
The moral of the story is do not become homeless if you are disabled with a service dog - no matter where you live. I even contacted states bordering Oklahoma (Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, Texas, New Mexico and Colorado) and got the same results. I did manage to find a few places that "might" help, but they'd have to "see us and the service dog." I don't have the money to drive elsewhere so we are stuck.
Just curious...Anyone know a tough discrimination attorney on a mission?
Published by Emma Riley Sutton
My friends call me "The Queen of Useless Information." I have a B.A. in Public Relations and also in English. I am a stay-at-home homeschooling mom and a freelance writer. View profile
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10 Comments
Post a CommentOh, right got that one too, b/c service dogs are all GERMAN SHEPHERDS apparently, and only for the visually impaired. Got tired of explaining..told them to go to ada.gov/service animals--it explains that they are not all guide dogs, some are for anxiety reduction, and a surprise to me--they do NOT have to wear a vest or tag. Having a letter from a doc is only required by the FAA to take an animal that can't fit under the seat into the cabin. If there is no room, you MUST be moved to first or business class-whichever can accommodate. But, it helps to carry the letter, or some online sites have packs of 100 cards to hand out to a law breaker for about $5 or $6 dollars, but that is milk and a box of cereal on sale! So, I tell them to look up the law, and suggest they contact corporate headquarters to ask about the law before I call to make the complaint. I give people a chance to make the situation right and keep my business, but if they are jerks about it....
I ran into some difficulties with some of those churchy groups, myself. So, I feel for you. About the only one which ever treated me fairly was the Giving Tree, but they're out in Tucson, AZ. And that's no city to be homeless in. You'll pull through this. Keep your focus on that. You'll pull through. I'm sorry to hear what you're going through.
I'm so sorry you are going through this--I am pretty disgusted with the state of Oklahoma right now.
Emma, have you been declared disabled by Social Security? They may be a good place to start though I don't know that they can help you, but they might brighten the future a bit.
Reading and sharing. I hope your PV's go through the roof...
Wow that is sad :(
thanks
I hope you find help soon. Whenever I see your dog's adorable picture pop up on Facebook, I smile! I definitely think you should try to contact a disability group for more resources. I know the government sponsors one (more red tape, I know) and they might have more info.
Can you contact the agency that provided the service dog? They may be able to open some closed doors for you.
Wow...tough there. I hope it will get better for you, your daughter and service dog. I think we need to lobby in behalf of the disabled and their service dogs.