Taking a stroll into a local store with her dogs is nothing new for Kimberly Bair.
The Westmont resident takes her dogs everywhere.
“I take them with me for emotional support becauseI can’t be around tons ofpeople without having a panic attack,” Bair said. “It also gets themout of the houseto meet newpeople, and it works on their social skills so they get used to other people.”
Bair is part of a growing trend, with websites such BringFido.com and PetsWelcome.com helping owners find “pet-friendly” shopping and dining spots.
Not everyone is happy.
In a recent letter to The Tribune-Democrat’s Readers’ Forum, Lynnette Corona, of Johnstown, questioned why she’s been seeing more pets in area stores.
“Shopping with dogs isn’t necessary,” she wrote. “... All the dogs I have seen have been well-behaved. However, these dogs are not wearing vests that indicate they are service animals.”
Shannon Powers, press secretary for the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, said there are no state laws that prevent animals from entering stores, but there are food and safety regulations her department enforces that prohibit animals in areas where food is served.
“Only support animals for disabilities are allowed in placessuch as grocery stores and restaurants, except under very specific circ*mstances,” Powers said. “No animals, including support animals, are allowed in food preparation areas under food safety laws.”
These laws do notprotect “emotional support” pets – animals that provide a sense of comfort and safety to those with psychiatric or emotional conditions.
Allowing animals into retail and department stores is up to the discretion of store owners or managers.
Support animals
The Pennsylvania Human Relations Act requires businesses to allow support or guide animals to accompany people with disabilities in all areas of a facility that are open to the public.Many people with disabilitiesuse support animals to perform basic life tasks such as opening a door, pulling a wheelchair and calming a person withpost-traumatic stress disorder.
A place for pets? Food areas off limits, but many stores welcome customers’ furry friends
Chihuahuas Macy and Peanut rideKimberly Bair's shopping cart at the Giant Eagle on Goucher Street on Friday, Jan. 20, 2019.
Retail store managementmust stay within the parameters of that law, saidRenee Martin, communications director for the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission.
Some support animals are licensed or certified, and carry identification papers, but this is not a requirement in Pennsylvania.
If uncertainwhether a customer is accompanied by support animal, a business owner or staff member may ask: Is the animal required because of a disability? What task does the animal perform?
Coronawrote that she has seen dogs in a totes being carried through local stores, as well as dogs walking in department stores.
“What is the matter with people? What happens if one of these dogs bites someone?” she wrote.
Letter to the editor | Shopping with dogs isn’t necessary
In addition toPetco– which invites customers to bring their pets– national retail chainssuch as Lowe’s and Tractor Supply were mentioned by Johnstown residents as “pet-friendly” stores.
‘See their credentials’
Christina Martinko, who manages J.C. Penney Co. at The Galleria in Richland Township, saidher store allows pets to enter the premises, however, they must be service or support animals.
“Other than service animals, we haven’t had any animals in our building,” Martinko said.
“Typically, when they’re service animals, they’ll have the special gear on, and we can ask to see their credentials.”
Locally owned grocery storeIdeal Market has five locations, which includes downtown Johnstown, Geistown, Homer City, Seward and Vinco.
According toamanagerforone of thelocations, the line between acceptable pets andunacceptable pets in the store is often blurred.
“We allow the service animals in,” said Kathy Osborne, Ideal Market downtown Johnstown manager.
When asked if pets in general are allowed in the store, Osborne said, “I mean, they bring them in sometimes and I don’t really say anything – like the little ones.”
Cara Bennett, of Johnstown,is apet ownerwho believes that rules or guidelines need to be put in place at thegrocery and department stores.
“Dog lovers need to know that not allpeople like dogs or may be allergic to them,” Bennett said. “We as dog owners need to be more considerate.”
While the trendof shopping with petsdoesn’t appear to be losing any steam, the debate is now in the hands of your local store owner or their management team.
For more information onthe laws that protects service animals and support animals, visitwww.phrc.pa.gov.
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Ronald Fisher is a reporter for The Tribune-Democrat. Follow him on Twitter @FisherSince_82.
