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Southfield

February 18, 2009

Blind man with guide dog refused service at sandwich shop

By Jennie Miller
C & G Staff Writer

SOUTHFIELD — Bob Rehahn, 51, of Southgate didn’t know how to explain to his special needs students why he was refused service at a local sandwich shop.

“It was humiliating,” said Rehahn, who was born blind and who is assisted by his 2-year-old golden retriever guide dog, Martin.

Rehahn was on a field trip with students and fellow staff members of the Jerry L. White Center in Detroit, a school for children with special needs. The bus pulled into a Southfield Quizno’s on Telegraph Road, and a few people entered the shop to order food.

“Just as we were going in the door, the gentleman behind the counter motioned with his hand as if to say, ‘Get out of here,’” Rehahn explained. “I knew right away we were going to have issues.”

Even after they explained to the individual that Martin is a service dog, and in accordance with the federal White Cane Law, he is allowed in public places, the man told the teachers to “get out of here with that dog,” Rehahn said.

Rehahn even told the man that he could call the police and they would explain to him that the dog was allowed in the shop, but the man still refused.

“He didn’t back down at all,” Rehahn said. “He was rude.”

The teachers took their business next door, to Fatburger, and were treated respectfully, he said.

While this isn’t the first time a business owner didn’t fully understand the law, Rehahn said it is the first time he was treated with such disrespect.

“I try to educate, communicate and motivate,” Rehahn said. “You do it politely. And all that was done. It was made very clear that I was blind, so he can’t say that he didn’t know. What he did was just vicious. He discriminated. I am very angry.”

Martin is the sixth guide dog Rehahn has had over the years through the Leader Dogs for the Blind, based in Rochester Hills.

“We are very disappointed that Bob was turned away from Quizno’s, especially since the law dictates that a person using a leader dog has full access to public places,” said Greg Grabowski, president and CEO of Leader Dogs for the Blind.

A Quizno’s Corp. spokesperson did not return repeated requests for comment at press time, but according to reports, the company is conducting an investigation of the incident.

For more information about Leader Dogs for the Blind, visit www.leaderdog.org.








You can reach C & G Staff Writer Jennie Miller at jmiller@candgnews.com or at (586)279-1108.