Service dog denied entry into Hilton Head post office; USPS responds to situation

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. (WTOC) - A woman is demanding changes after she and her service dog were denied access to a post office on Hilton Head Island.

She was told to leave with the service animal that helps her breathe because they only allow service animals inside that help deaf and blind people.

Patricia Wojcicki has used a service dog for four years and has never encountered a problem entering buildings or federal buildings with her dog.

For the past three years, Bentley has worked as her service dog.

“When my lungs spasm, he alerts in hopes that it is not a full shutdown and 911 doesn’t have to be called,” Wojcicki said.

That was until last Wednesday, when she was trying to mail off something from this post office on 10 Bow Circle.

As she walked in, she noticed a sign that read, “No Dogs Allowed (Except Those Assisting Blind or Deaf persons)”.

Wojcicki, knowing the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) that allows her to bring Bentley into any federal building, still went inside.

“The first thing that happened is that an employee from the post office screamed from across the counter that no dogs are allowed, only service dogs for the blind and deaf,” Wojcicki said.

Wojcicki says she tried to explain that Bentley was a service dog and that he had a life-saving task, but the employee still told her to leave.

So Wojcicki tied the dog outside and went in to mail off her package, staying in Bentley’s sight as long as possible.

“In those times when Bentley can’t see me and monitor me. They are putting my life in danger,” Wojcicki said.

Following this incident, Wojcicki filed a federal complaint with the American Disabilities Association and the South Carolina Department of Claims for Disabilities.

She is now requesting a written apology from the post office and for the sign outside to be changed to “Service Animals Allowed” to try to prevent this from happening to anyone else who visits.

“I understand the laws and obey the laws. These employees do not understand the law, and they are not obeying the law. They are putting disabled people in compromising and possibly dangerous situations.”

WTOC reached out to USPS for comment on the incident and to see if an apology has been written or the sign has been changed.

They got back with us and said the following:

”The Postal Service takes matters of accessibility and customer service very seriously. We are committed to ensuring that all customers, including those with service animals, are treated with respect and dignity. We are currently reviewing the situation to understand the circumstances better and to ensure that our policies are being followed appropriately. Local management will take any necessary steps to address the matter."

United States Postal Service