LITTLE ROCK, AR – One Iraq War veteran who relies on her service dog to cope with anxiety and sometimes feels like she’s not wanted when she has her dog with her, is hoping an Arkansas legislator can help amend the state law that will allow anyone to have a service dog no matter the disability.
Sharon Davis served in Kuwait and Iraq in the Army National Guard, now she is back on American soil.
But not without her service dog Cocoa, a dog she got a few years back after feeling she was isolating herself.
“I was finding it really hard to get out of the house, I could go with my husband but as far as getting out on my own, I just wasn’t able to do it,” says Davis.
So, she says Cocoa helps her when she does go out alone, in case she has an anxiety attack.
“She usually recognizes it, she starts putting her nose up under my hand,” explains Davis.
But Sharon says she has run into some problems at restaurants while out with Cocoa and has been told to leave.
“The guy yelled at us as we came in the door saying ‘Ya’ll can’t have that dog in here’,” she recalls.
As it stands now, only those individuals with visual, hearing or other physical disabilities have the right to be accompanied by a service animal in public places.
Sharon shared her concerns with State Representative Greg Leding, who is now pushing to have the state law amended to ensure everyone can use a service animal.
“There are so many Arkansans who rely on service animals, particularly veterans. A lot of them coming home perhaps rely on these animals to help cope with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), so we’re just trying to make sure that anyone who needs these animals does have access,” says Leding.
Sharon hopes this bill will pass so she and Cocoa can stay and be treated like everyone else.
Leding says they also want to make sure they include an area concerning abuse, especially for people who try and pass off their exotic pets as service animals.
Leding says he hopes to present his bill on Thursday.
Sharon Davis served in Kuwait and Iraq in the Army National Guard, now she is back on American soil.
But not without her service dog Cocoa, a dog she got a few years back after feeling she was isolating herself.
“I was finding it really hard to get out of the house, I could go with my husband but as far as getting out on my own, I just wasn’t able to do it,” says Davis.
So, she says Cocoa helps her when she does go out alone, in case she has an anxiety attack.
“She usually recognizes it, she starts putting her nose up under my hand,” explains Davis.
But Sharon says she has run into some problems at restaurants while out with Cocoa and has been told to leave.
“The guy yelled at us as we came in the door saying ‘Ya’ll can’t have that dog in here’,” she recalls.
As it stands now, only those individuals with visual, hearing or other physical disabilities have the right to be accompanied by a service animal in public places.
Sharon shared her concerns with State Representative Greg Leding, who is now pushing to have the state law amended to ensure everyone can use a service animal.
“There are so many Arkansans who rely on service animals, particularly veterans. A lot of them coming home perhaps rely on these animals to help cope with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), so we’re just trying to make sure that anyone who needs these animals does have access,” says Leding.
Sharon hopes this bill will pass so she and Cocoa can stay and be treated like everyone else.
Leding says they also want to make sure they include an area concerning abuse, especially for people who try and pass off their exotic pets as service animals.
Leding says he hopes to present his bill on Thursday.
