Service Dog Advocate Files Suit Against Starbucks in Chicago

    CHICAGO, IL, December 07, 2014 /24-7PressRelease/ -- After more than five alleged access denials and violations of ADA regulations a Chicago veteran says he needs to resort to a law suit in an attempt to affect policy at Starbucks. L.B. Hodge of Great Lakes, Illinois has filed suit in Lake County Court.

"Starbucks nationally advertises its close connections to military causes, but has failed to welcome home veterans on a local level. There are dozens of active complaints and news articles about Starbucks access problems. It appears that they are not educating workers about ADA laws. They will need to as the number of wounded veterans coming home and utilizing canines for assistance increases. It's important to note that out of 30 or 40 access to Niles in the last two years we never felt the need to take legal action against anyone else."

Hodge contacted Starbucks after each infraction. He was sent two drink coupons as an apology for being told to leave one store. "The woman behind the counter told me that dogs were not allowed. She said that, 'I have a letter from Headquarters that says not even service dogs are allowed.' I knew that was not true, but it pointed up that she had never been properly trained."

The veteran, a service dog advocate travels the country with his dog, the national service dog Award for Canine Excellence recipient for 2014-15 (http://facebook.com/ganderservicedog), made over 20 contacts with Starbucks and even offered to train staff at no cost. While Starbucks global leaders said they would follow up, nothing happened and local issues continued.

In Evanston, with hands full and one arm partially paralyzed, a barista screamed across customers at Hodge because the dog was not on a leash. ADA regulations do not require leashing if the dog is needed off leash and under control. "This happened, not once, but twice there," said the veteran. And the second dressing down occurred after Starbucks had been contacted regarding the first problem. "So, it is obvious they did not take the matter seriously. I have severe PTSD and the last thing I need is someone angrily shouting at me in public as I am trying to stay safe and secure. I landed in the ER last as a result of these negative encounters."

The veteran says the suit has been filed in small claims court so he can represent himself. "Several lawyers have offered services in bigger courts, but it is not about money. It is about drawing attention to the hypocrisy of Starbucks: The CEO has written a book about vets and the company benefits greatly from government tax incentives for hiring vets, but customer service on a local level is lacking." Hodge is asking Starbucks for $10,000 to be donated to the non profit Service Dog Foundation and a change in training policy that will ensure other people with disabilities are treated according to the law.

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