Service dogs can be a life-changing resource for people with all kinds of problems and disabilities, including many military veterans. But some people don’t understand the important role these dogs play, and give their owners a hard time.

That was the case recently, as one Vietnam veteran says he and his trained service dog were denied service as a bar. Now, he’s speaking out and raising awareness.

David Skaggs is a Vietnam War veteran from Wagoner County, Oklahoma, who has a beloved service dog, a German shepherd named Sandy who was trained by 4 Paws 4 Patriots.

Sandy is always by his side, and he usually doesn’t have any trouble taking her places. As a certified service animal, she has a legal right to be allowed into establishments under the Americans with Disabilities Act. But one bar apparently didn’t get the memo, refusing Skaggs and Sandy entry last week.

The vet wrote on social media that he went to the bar to meet with some friends, but a waitress stopped him, saying he couldn’t let the dog in. Skaggs argued that he was allowed to bring his service dog in and they had no right to deny him entry.

She then brought in a bouncer or manager to “intimidate” him, but he stood his ground: when asked to provide credentials and identification, he replied that real service dogs did not need ID and that the bar was breaking federal law by refusing him service.

“He was talking down to me, which I don’t (like),” Skaggs told 2 News Oklahoma. “It’s hard to intimidate a combat veteran.”

The bar refused to let him in, and Skaggs left the establishment, but vented his frustrations online and took his story to 2 News, hoping to raise awareness of the legal rights of disabled people and their service animals.

The Americans with Disabilities Act protects service animals and their owners under federal law. Businesses are only allowed to ask two questions about service animals: “Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability?” and “What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?” They are not allowed to ask for any documentation, ask the dog to demonstrate its task or inquire about the nature of the person’s disability.

Businesses are only allowed to ask owners to remove their service animal if they are not housebroken or if they are “out of control,” but it’s highly doubtful that Sandy, a thoroughly trained service animal who accompanies Skaggs everywhere, would’ve displayed any behavioral issues that would justify a denial of service.

“She was trained at the minimum security prison in McAlester,” Skaggs told 2 News. “She’s by my side constantly. She never leaves my side.”

It’s upsetting that an establishment would deny service to a disabled US veteran over his service animal, but Skaggs is not the first to face this issue. Other people with disabilities have been denied entry over their service dogs and even been accused of faking their disabilities.

Many people genuinely rely on their service animals, and denying them entry into establishments is not only wrong but illegal under federal law. We hope Skaggs and Sandy were able to get some justice in this situation.

Please share this story to spread the word.

Queen Camilla “heartbroken” after death of her beloved rescue dog Beth — rest in peace

Some sad news from the British royal family this week: Beth, the beloved rescue dog of Queen Camilla, has died 😢💔

The royal dog was reportedly euthanized after being diagnosed with an inoperable tumor, and the Queen is reportedly “heartbroken” by the loss.

Camilla’s Rescue Dogs

Beth, a Jack Russell terrier, was adopted by Camilla in 2011 from the UK animal rescue center Battersea Dogs And Cats Home, when she was just a three-month-old puppy. In an interview with BBC Radio 5, Camilla recalled that Beth had “been moved from pillar to post and dumped,” per Nine News.

“We thought it would be nice for her to have a friend,” she said. In 2012, Camilla adopted another dog, Bluebell, from the same shelter.

The royal dogs were well-known to the British public, as they often accompanied Camilla on royal engagements. One memorable appearance was in 2020, when Camilla helped celebrate the opening of new Battersea kennels. A sausage was tied around a rope cord, and Beth went after it, unveiling a new plaque:

The dogs were loyal companions to Camilla during a period of major life changes: in 2022, after the death of Queen Elizabeth II, her husband King Charles III ascended to the throne and she became Queen Consort. Then this year, the royal family underwent a major personal crisis as the king was diagnosed with cancer.

It’s safe to say that the two precious rescue dogs were a major source of comfort and unconditional love through it all.

“The nice thing about dogs is you can sit them down, you could have a nice long conversation, you could be cross, you could be sad and they just sit looking at you, wagging their tail,” Camilla told BBC Radio.

“They are both colourful characters and now I cannot imagine my life, my home or my sofas without them,” Camilla told Country Life magazine in 2022.

Pictures of Beth and Bluebell were even embroidered onto Queen Camilla’s coronation gown, showing how important they were to her.

Rest in Peace, Beth: Camilla “Heartbroken”

Sadly, Beth was recently diagnosed with an untreatable tumor, and Camilla made the difficult decision to put the dog down this weekend. The Queen was reportedly “heartbroken” by her dog’s passing.

The news was confirmed by an official statement from Buckingham Palace. “A sad farewell to Beth, the Queen’s much-loved companion from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home who brought such joy, whether on walkies, helping on official duties, or curled up by the fire,” the statement read.

Peter Laurie, chief executive of Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, also released a statement sharing his condolences. “We’re very sad to hear that Beth, HM The Queen’s rescue dog, has sadly passed away,” he said. “Her Majesty, our Patron, rehomed Beth from Battersea in 2011 and we have many fond memories of Beth visiting our centres over the years.”

“Our thoughts are with Their Majesties at this time, we know how difficult it is to lose a beloved pet and Beth was very special indeed.”

Rest in peace to sweet rescue dog Beth, who was a beloved loyal companion to Queen Camilla all these years 💔 Our thoughts go out to the royal family after this sad loss.

Please share this story in memory of Beth.