We are overwhelmed with the support we have received from Casper’s fans and SDP family. Thank you all. We feel comforted by the love and know that you all have our back.
We do want to ask that while educating others, especially this shop owner and staff, is exactly our intent, we do not want to do so in a threatening or mean-spirited way. I have not gotten that impression from anyone in particular, but I am sure she feels under attack and I want to make it clear here that attack is not anyone’s intent.
We have no intention of ever shopping there again, but we leave that decision up to everyone individually. This is not a situation that we feel calls for a business to be in ruins, but for that business to reevaluate itself and their outlook. I think you all have done an excellent job in helping us achieve that.
Here is a message we posted on Facebook yesterday if you are not on there to see it:
Update on Mystical Elements: We got an message from Harry DeutscheDogge‘s mom. She has been to this shop with a friend and met the owner. She called the store and spoke with the owner, who was the woman who ran us out. The woman apologized. She said she let her instinct guide her and now knows that it was the other dog’s fault. She feels she is more educated now.
We appreciate the apology and wanted to share it because we try to be fair in all matters. We will still not be patrons at this store again because this experience ruined that shop for us personally.
We love you all and appreciate your support. The shop was emailed by us already and I will email again thanking her for the apology but telling her our business is still lost.
We ask that you all do what you feel best doing. Just remember to try and do everything with kindness in your heart and without anger or revenge in your hearts. That is what we do our best to do. It is about education.
In addition to this we received a message from the shop owner via email today:
Casper and family
I am incredibly sorry for your experience today. This is definitely a lesson learned today. I also understand the momma bear syndrome. I lost two dogs this year, Aly 16 in Feb and Finn 16 or 17 (he was a rescue) in June, both Golden Retrievers. Unfortunately all our furry customers are not always well behaved and I am sorry Casper had to go through that. We do love our furry customers and actually keep treats behind the counter for them. We actually have several dogs who come to visit us on a regular basis.
I understand your taking your business elsewhere but should you ever be in the village again please stop by for a treat.
I heard about the incident while traveling today but have discussed this at length with my employees.
Again I wanted to apologize to you personally.
27 Coogan Blvd Bldg 8J
Mystic, CT 06355
written by LJS
Tagged: ADA, balance and stability, cerebral palsy, dane, disability, disability awareness, disability rights, great dane, mobility, mobility dogs, mystical elements, service dane, service dog, service dog training, violation of rights
Casper the Friendly Dane 
Lauri, I am really glad that the shop owner emailed you the apology, but I get the feeling she was not apologizing for the right thing. I still don’t know if she understands why Casper was there in the first place. I read and reread her email and got the impression she was apologizing for not letting Casper the dog play in the store, not Casper the Service Dog work. Hopefully maybe she will someday “get it”, but we will have to wait and see. Deep down, I think she was more afraid of losing the luncheon ladies with the purse yorkies than the smaller group who rely on service dogs. But that is just my two cents. Good luck.
I am happy that she apologized and hopefully any other encounters you may have down the road you will chalk up to people inability to comprehend how important a service dog is. It is not Casper or your family but people that do not know any better.
I’m so glad that the lady from the store sent you an apologetic email; perhaps this is the only way to educate people. There’s strength in numbers! We do have your back and we’ll all be so happy to help in any way we can, should you run into any more of these situations, and I’m sure this won’t be the last, unfortunately. Keep the faith!!
Thank you for posting these responses. People react emotionally without forethought but it looks like these folks have a new understanding of the situation. It is unfortunate that this experience ruined your day. Don’t let it ruin future outings. Get back out there and enjoy life!