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Blues City Service Dogs, Memphis, TN (2026)

04/19/2026

We want to let everyone know that there will be a pause in our posts for a short time.

Over the last 24 hours, a couple of unexpected personal emergencies and life situations have come up within our team, and our focus needs to be there and with the dogs right now. Because of that, we won’t be posting or as active for a little while.

We also won’t be responding to emails during this time. One of our team members will do their best to periodically check in, and if something is truly time-sensitive, they will respond as they’re able.

We appreciate your understanding and patience, as well as the thoughts, prayers, and support from our kind community while we take the time to handle what’s in front of us. We’ll be back as soon as things are stable again.

04/17/2026

It’s Friday afternoon, which means our team will be back in office on Monday!

All emails have been caught up to this point. Any messages sent between now and Monday morning will be responded to when we return. Don’t worry though—posts will continue throughout the weekend, and our team will still be keeping an eye on things here.

Thank you all, and we hope you have a wonderful weekend!

💬 Discussion Question
What are your plans this weekend—anything fun or dog-related?

Besties Fish Stick and Beco playing in their yard house.

04/15/2026

There is often confusion—and frequent misquoting—when it comes to Americans with Disabilities Act guidance on service dogs in shopping carts.

In August 2015, the U.S. Department of Justice intentionally revised ADA FAQ Q31, changing the wording from “no” to “generally” following the case of Butler v. WinCo. This change was significant. It acknowledged that while service dogs are typically on the floor or carried, there may be legitimate disability-related reasons—such as safety or task performance—that require a dog to be elevated or contained.

The ADA emphasizes individualized assessment, not blanket policies.

Additionally, the common claim that service dogs in carts violate “health codes” is largely a misconception. Health regulations primarily apply to food preparation and contact surfaces—not reasonable accommodations in customer areas. Even if a local policy were to conflict, federal ADA standards take precedence. General sanitation concerns alone are not a lawful basis for exclusion.

Finally, the phrase “four on the floor” is not found anywhere in ADA law or regulations. The actual legal standard is whether the service animal is under control and not posing a direct threat—not where the dog is positioned.

Bottom line: Blanket bans, “health code” arguments, and “four on the floor” rules are not supported under the ADA. Each situation must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

💬 Discussion Question:
What are your thoughts on individualized accommodations versus one-size-fits-all policies when it comes to accessibility?

04/15/2026

The case of Butler v. WinCo is a key example of how real-life situations can challenge common assumptions about service dogs in public spaces.

In this case, a service dog handler filed a lawsuit against WinCo Foods after being denied access when her small service dog was placed in a shopping cart. Store employees enforced a policy that prohibited animals from being in carts, citing sanitation and store rules.

The handler argued that her disability required her service dog to be positioned close to her face in order to effectively perform trained tasks. Because of this, placing the dog in the cart was not a preference—it was a necessity. She also stated that alternative methods, such as carrying the dog, were not safe or practical for her condition.

The case highlighted a central conflict: store policies versus disability-related needs. It raised important questions about how businesses should respond when a person’s medical needs don’t fit neatly within standard rules.

While the case did not result in a sweeping, one-size-fits-all ruling, it brought attention to the importance of evaluating situations individually and considering the specific needs of the handler rather than relying solely on generalized policies.

At its core, this case underscores how accessibility issues are often more complex than they appear—and why understanding context matters.

💬 Discussion Question:
How should businesses balance general policies with unique accessibility needs in situations like this?

04/15/2026

“While the Department maintains that protection from danger is one of the key functions that service animals perform for the benefit of persons with disabilities, the Department recognizes that an animal individually trained to provide aggressive protection, such as an attack dog, is not appropriately considered a service animal. Therefore, the Department has decided to modify the “minimal protection” language to read “nonviolent protection,” thereby excluding so-called ‘attack dogs” or dogs with traditional “protection training” as service animals.”

There’s a lot of confusion surrounding “protection” and service animals under the ADA—so let’s break it down clearly.

The ADA does recognize that service dogs can play a role in helping mitigate danger for their handler. However, there is a critical distinction:

👉 Nonviolent protection = allowed
👉 Aggressive protection (attack training) = NOT allowed

This means:
✔️ Tasks like blocking, creating space, alerting, or guiding a handler away from danger may qualify
❌ Dogs trained to bite, attack, or act aggressively as “protection dogs” do not qualify as service animals

The Department of Justice even updated its language specifically to reduce confusion—changing “minimal protection” to “nonviolent protection” and explicitly excluding attack-trained dogs from the definition.

Another key point many people miss:
A dog’s presence alone—even if it deters crime—does not count as a trained task under the ADA.

Understanding this distinction helps protect:
• Public safety
• Legitimate service dog teams
• The integrity of disability rights

💬 Discussion Question:
What are some examples of “nonviolent protection” tasks you’ve seen or think would qualify under the ADA?

https://www.ada.gov/law-and-regs/regulations/title-iii-regulations/

04/13/2026

We did it… 4,000 followers! 🎉

We want to take a moment to sincerely thank each and every one of you for being part of this growing community. Your support, engagement, and willingness to learn and share have helped us build something truly special. We’re excited to continue growing alongside all of you and bringing more educational, real-world content your way.

As a quick reminder, comments on our posts are limited to followers who have been with us for more than 24 hours. This helps us maintain a respectful, informed space—especially when discussing important, fact-based topics.

Discussion Question
Which educational topic we’ve shared so far has been your favorite—or maybe even surprised you the most?

04/13/2026

Good morning and happy Monday! ☀️

We hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. As we get back into the swing of things, we wanted to let you know that any emails sent since Friday afternoon will be responded to throughout today. We appreciate your patience while we took our team took the weekend to recharge and refocus for the week ahead.

We’re excited to dive back in and continue supporting you and your pups this week!

Discussion Question: What’s one goal you have for yourself or your dog this week?

04/13/2026

’Twas Sunday night calm, and the week drawing near,
Not a bark echoed loudly, not a sound sharp or clear.
The vests were all hung by the doorway with care,
In hopes that new journeys soon would be there.

The service dogs nestled all snug in their beds,
With dreams of their duties soft-dancing in heads.
From guiding through crowds to alerting with grace,
Each task a small light in a vast, busy place.

There’s Morgan the steady, so patient and wise,
And Havelock who watches with bright, knowing eyes.
Brave Declan stands ready for each rising day,
While gentle sweet Fish keeps worries at bay.

They’d worked hard all week, through the noise and the strain,
Through bustling stores, sidewalks, and sunshine and rain.
But now it was time for their bodies to rest,
To gather new strength for the work they do best.

Their handlers slept soundly, their breathing so deep,
While close by their partners kept watch in their sleep.
A twitch of a paw, or a soft wagging tail,
As dreams carried on each important detail.

“Tomorrow,” they’d think, “we’ll be ready once more,
To open new paths and hold steady the door.
To comfort, to guide, to respond when there’s need—
For this is our purpose, our calling, our creed.”

And so through the night, in the quiet they lay,
Preparing their hearts for another long day.
For come Monday morning, with purpose and might,
They’ll rise to their calling at first morning light.

04/13/2026

Today at the market was a win for Fish Stick! The atmosphere was calm, vendors were friendly, and the whole crowd brought such positive energy. Even with a bit of wind, the weather was beautiful, and the sun held out until the last 30 minutes—couldn’t have asked for much better!

Fish Stick did an amazing job overall. She had a couple of small moments where she got a little too excited about kids holding items she thought might be toys, but with some quick redirection, she settled right back down, laid at ease, and enjoyed the rest of the outing like a pro.

We’re so proud of her progress and her ability to bounce back and refocus. Days like this remind us that growth isn’t about perfection—it’s about learning, adjusting, and ending on a strong, positive note. 💛

Discussion Question:
How does your dog handle exciting environments with lots of distractions like kids, toys, or crowds?

04/12/2026

We're all set up! Come on out to see Fish Stick this morning.

04/12/2026

🐾✨ We’re out and about today! ✨🐾

Come see us at the Easter Pop-Up Shop from 10 AM – 3:30 PM! Meet one of our amazing program dogs and chat with our trainer, Audrey. 🐶💬

We’d love to see you there! 💛

Blues City Service Dogs

04/19/2026

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