This happened to me last Tuesday. Below is my statement of fact on the matter. ~ Kevin cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/former-soldier-s-service-dog-refused-entry-to-gym-1.1864315 At approx. 315pm on the 17th, I tried to acquire a drop in pass at Global Gym at 80 Mapleton Road in Moncton, New Brunswick. I was asked by the staff member working what I intended to do with my Service Dog, Tommy, while I worked out. Tommy was wearing his clearly marked service dog vest, and I am in possession of my Guide Animal Act certification from British Columbia. The staff member refused Tommy and I entry, and I pressed the issue with her, citing the fact that it is unlawful to restrict disabled persons from areas of public access with their medical equipment. It is unlawful under the New Brunswick Human Rights Act as well as the BC Guide Animal Act. The staff member insisted that they were a private club, and had to think of all they paying members. I asked if she would bar a blind person from entering with their service dog, and she replied she would, unless someone was around to watch the dog. I do not believe it is a private club if they readily sell day passes to members of the public. Indeed, Global Gym is open to the public, and anyone can become a member. The staff member insisted that no dog had ever been allowed in their gym in her 10 years of working there. I called a friend of mine, who lives in Moncton and has a service dog as well. He is actually a member of Global Gym. I cited his name, and another staff member confirmed that he regularly exercised at Global Gym’s other location in Riverview, NB. The staff member I had been dealing with said she wasn’t aware of that, and sure that ownership wasn’t aware of that, but that it made no difference to the matter at hand. She attempted to call the owner (Darrin Gray) who was in Newfoundland on business, to no avail to seek his authorization. She was ending her shift, so she left me Mr. Gray’s number, and I called once, to no answer. I elected to move on, as 4pm was now approaching. The staff member apologized on my way out saying “I feel horrible”. I replied, it is what it is. I felt absolutely defeated and dejected. Tommy is supposed to help me reintegrate with society and feel part of it again. He wasn’t allowed to do his job and I felt even more isolated. I then drove to Goodlife Fitness at 795 Main Street in Moncton. As I entered Goodlife, my phone rang. It was Mr. Gray from Global Gym, returning my call. I answered and he said he had a missed call. I replied with my name, who I was, and what the situation was with my service dog. I also said I had moved on, so not to worry about it. He responded with “Well my friend, they’re (his staff) not ever going to get an authorization to allow a pet into my gym.” I explained that a service dog is not a pet, but he insisted “Yes they are, they’re not allowed in my gym, I don’t care what you say, it’s a pet, and besides that, we’re a private club. I don’t have to let you in if I don’t want to.“ I asked if he though he could bar blind members, and reminded him that the New Brunswick Human Rights Act still applied to his gym, and he laughed “No it doesn’t. It’s my club and I can do whatever I want.” He was laughing at me by this point, and said “I tell you what buddy, you get…hahaha…. You get one gym in the city… one to let you and your dog work out inside… hahaha, and I’ll give you and your dog free workouts for life at my gyms, but if you don’t, you’ve gotta pay me double.” I told Mr. Gray that he had an excellent attitude for customer service, and that he’d done well, treating a disabled veteran like dirt, and being a bully. He began to respond, and I was quite frankly so shaken up that I hung up on him. I then proceeded to sit down with Sandy, the manager at Goodlife, who called to higher and proceeded to show Tommy and I where we could change, and I enjoyed a workout. I had a picture taken with Sandy, to show our appreciation. While I was getting changed, I received a call from my friend who is a member at Global and has a service dog. Mr. Gray had called him after, and told him his dog was no longer welcome at his gym. I am in New Brunswick to act as the support driver for Kate MacEachern as she walks from Nova Scotia to Ottawa to raise awareness of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and the stigma that exists around it. I would not be here if it were not for Tommy. Tommy has ridden at my feet on 2 Westjet aircraft to get here, and has been in every building and restaurant I’ve been in so far on this journey, save Global Gym. Post Traumatic Stress has confined me in the past. I have had my life improve exponentially as a result of being prescribed Tommy. He has saved my life. To be mistreated, mocked, and belittled as a result of my service-related disability, is something I had hoped we were past as a society. If you’re unsatisfied with how I, or my friend, both disabled veterans, were treated by Global Gym, please let them know: Darrin Gray, Owner Global Gym: (506) 853- 4100 https://facebook/GlobalAtlantic If you’re happy that Goodlife Fitness stepped up, leave them a message too. Attn: Sandy https://facebook/GoodlifeFitnessCoedDowntown
Posted on: Mon, 23 Sep 2013 14:41:11 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015