Assistance Dogs in Downtown Grantham cafe and restaurant are left to right Lisa Bracey, General Manager Downtown Grantham, Denise Taylor Assistance Dogs, Judy Hulland SKDC, Ann Harris Coffee Shop Manager Downtown Grantham, John Mallindine and Poppy.
Food businesses in South Kesteven are being asked to check the rules around welcoming assistance dogs on their premises.
SKDC is reminding food and drink outlet owners they are allowed to give access to dogs that accompany people who are Registered Assistance Dogs UK users.
Owners of registered assistance dogs carry ID endorsed by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) to help clarify to food outlet managers that the trained dogs do not pose a hygiene risk if they accompany a user.
Lincolnshire resident John Mallindine and his hearing dog Poppy regularly visit food outlets across South Kesteven.
They praised Downtown cafe and restaurant in Grantham for being among the food businesses in the district who have a helpful and welcoming approach to those with assistance dogs.
John said: “Downtown have been great when I’ve visited with Poppy. All of the staff are aware she is fine to enter the cafe and that in my case she is my hearing dog.
“They have been very friendly and on my first visit, once I had sat down with my cup of coffee, they even brought a bowl of water over for Poppy as she sat on her blanket next to me. I hope all cafes, pubs and restaurants can be as welcoming and knowledgeable on assistance dogs.”
The council is working with the organisation Assistance Dogs UK to help improve awareness among businesses in the district and encourage them to display the Assistance Dogs sticker.
SKDC’s Environmental Health team leader Judy Hulland said: “The vast majority of food and drink owners in South Kesteven are good at welcoming those who are partially sighted, hard of hearing, or other disabled people with registered assistance dogs.
“However we know this can be a grey area for some staff whose first instinct is to ensure they as a business don’t infringe environmental health law and when seeing an animal on the premises can be defensive about allowing entry.
“All we ask is that they inquire thoughtfully and respectfully with the customer that the animal is a registered assistance dog and where required request to see the ID.
“We’re also asking business owners to educate their staff and display the Assistance Dogs sticker prominently on their premises to let assistance dog users know they welcome their custom.”
Assistance Dogs local co-ordinator Denise Taylor said: “Assistance dogs help thousands of people across the country affected by sight or hearing loss, those suffering from potentially life threatening illnesses, and other disabilities, meaning they can continue to lead their day to day lives normally.
“Blind and partially sighted and other disabled people have a right of access to public premises under the Disability Discrimination Act and The Equality Act 2010.
“We know there is usually no conflict over questioning this but want to continue to educate all food premises staff who may be unaware of the rules.”
Downtown Grantham General Manager Lisa Bracey said: “We always take time to make our staff aware of all relevant legislation to help make customers’ experiences as comfortable as possible.
“We’re very pleased Mr Mallindine and Poppy find our staff to be welcoming each time they visit the store.”
Businesses wishing to know more can visit the Equality & Human Rights Commission website http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/publication/assistance-dogs-guide-all-businesses where they can download a helpful ‘Guide for All Businesses’. Hotel and B&B owners can request a ‘Take the lead’ booklet from SKDC or Assistance Dogs, endorsed by Visit England and the commission which outlines the legislation it applies to owners of these premises.
To obtain an ADUK Registered Assistance Dog sticker visit http://www.hearingdogs.org.uk/deaf-awareness/Assistance+Dogs+UK/assistance-dogs-uk-stickers
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.