One common question that most customers who own various pets such as dogs have been asking themselves is: Are dogs allowed in Walgreens stores, and are they pet friendly?
Many dog enthusiasts would want to go with their furry friends anywhere they visit, including various shopping stores. Different stores have their own rules and regulations for their customers shopping with their dogs.
Walgreens is one of the most popular choices for many residents in the United States of America when it comes to getting their prescriptions.
For many years, many Americans have frequented various Walgreens stores to buy health and wellness products.
So, does Walgreens allow dogs? The answer is Yes. Walgreens allows service dogs inside their stores.
This complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). However, they do not allow emotional support animals because they do not fall under the ADA Act.
Some Walgreens locations have a relaxed approach to allowing dogs inside their stores in rare instances as long as the pets are well behaved and on a leash.
Is Walgreens Dog Friendly?
Unfortunately, Walgreens is not considered a dog-friendly store. Most stores do not permit dogs and other pets to get inside.
However, the policy will largely depend on the management of the store location. Dogs are allowed in most Walgreens stores as long as they do not cause disturbance while inside the store.
Walgreens Service Dog Pet Policy
Walgreens is one of the major stores that value the hygiene of their customers. They do not compromise the convenience and safety they have been providing their customers for many years.
Therefore, they have made it clear that no dogs or other pets are permitted inside their stores. However, the only exception to this is for service dogs or pets.
If you have some complexity or you are suffering from some difficulties, then you can shop with your service dog at Walgreens.
You will have to make that your canine friend has a coat or a collar around the neck before you go inside the store with it.
What Is A Service Dog?
According to the Americans with Disabilities Act, a service animal or service dog is specially trained to perform tasks or to do work for a person with a disability.
They are meant to help people with disabilities to lead a more independent life. The disability can be a sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, physical, or mental impairment limiting one or more major life activities.
For instance, a guide dog will help a blind or a visually impaired person navigate his environment. A hearing dog will help one with hearing problems, while a mobility dog will assist someone who uses walking devices, wheelchair, or has balance issues.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) considers such dogs primarily working animals, not considered pets. If you have any disability, Walgreens will allow you into their store with your service dog.
They will ask you a few questions like the kind of task that your dog is trained to perform. The staff will not ask you to provide any form of documentation or proof that your dog is a service animal.
Does Walgreens Allow Emotional Support Animals?
Unfortunately, Walgreens does not permit its customers to use emotional support animals to enter their facilities.
This is because such animals do not fall under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). However, this does not apply to all Walgreens stores.
Some store locations may allow you to get inside with your emotional service pet as long as it is well behaved.
Why Walgreens Does Not Allow Dogs In-store
There are several reasons why Walgreens does not allow their customers to enter their stores with dogs.
First, the step is taken for the hygiene of other shoppers at the store. Some dogs may tend to poop anywhere they consider is an appropriate place. No one will like to run into a dog’s poop while shopping.
Another reason Walgreens does not permit dogs and other pets is some shoppers might be allergic to dogs.
No matter how clean or how well conducted your dog is, some people will still be allergic to dogs and other pets. Besides, some people may not like to shop in a store alongside dogs.
In addition, some dogs may cause disturbance inside the store. Others may even tend to pick medicine on shelves and eat it.
This can easily lead to the slander of the company, which is not acceptable for Walgreens. They always advise their customers who enter the store with dogs to make sure that they control their dogs and their furry friends do not cause any disturbance in the store.
There are cases where some customers have been turned away with their pets. Therefore, if you shop at the store with your canine friend, make sure that you are in control.
You can quickly achieve this by ensuring that your dog is always on a leash while inside the facility. In addition, you will have to train your dog to be well-behaved in public places.
Do You Have To Prove That Your Dog Is A Service Animal At Walgreens?
No, you do not have to prove that your pet is a service animal at Walgreens. There is no official Walgreens policy stating that shoppers must prove their dogs as service animals if they are bringing their furry friends inside the store.
According to the ADA, individuals with service animals should not be asked to provide any form of documentation to prove that their pets are service animals.
Going To Shop With Your Dog For The First Time
Shopping is a relaxing and enjoyable way to spend quality time for many people. It is also exciting and hopeful for dogs to go outdoor with their owners.
However, it can be very challenging to go shopping with your pet. Here are a few reasons why shopping with your canine friend may not be an easy task.
Your pet is entering new territory.
It can be a scary experience for your canine friend going to a place with many people for the first time. It can also be stressful for their handlers for different reasons.
Most dogs will be stressed if they are taken to a place full of many strangers and activities as well as new smells, unfamiliar noises, and distracting sights.
In addition, some people love to walk to strange pets to greet them. This can add to the uncertainty and fearfulness of your dog.
Most restaurants and food stores are strict.
Some dogs may cause disturbance and get attracted to foods on the shelves in grocery stores. To avoid such unnecessary problems, most restaurants and retail stores such as Walgreens are usually off-limits to pets.
Preparing Your Dog Before Going For Shopping
Like any other new experience for dogs, starting small then working your way up is always good. This will help your canine friend to get used to many things. Before taking your dog to a shopping mall, you can consider going with it for a walk at a place with lots of pedestrian traffic.
Here are a few tips:
Start with a place your pet can relate with
Once you are ready to go out with your dog, you can begin with a pet store. The smells here will be familiar and friendly because your canine friend is used to food and treats sold in the store. You might meet other dogs as well.
Allow your dog to relax.
If your dog appears to be stressed, you can look for a quiet place to sit with it and observe the behavior.
With this, you will get your pet used to being around people without the complications of being restrained by the store shelves.
Once the dog gets used to remaining calm and staying by your side, then it is time to get inside.
Start with a less busy store.
At first, you can consider visiting with your dog when the store is not busy, probably in the evenings before closing time or during a weekday morning.
If you can go with your pet inside the store and it stays calm and not stressed, then it is time to expand its experience.
Remember that it is a new experience for your pet.
At this point, you can visit any indoor mall with your dog but do not enter stores yet. You should understand that this is a new experience for your canine friend.
Therefore, take time and walk your pet up and down the shopping mall to allow it to get used to the smells and various activities inside the mall.
Currently, most shopping malls welcome pets. You can search online for those that will allow you to get inside with your dog near you.
Conclusion
Walgreens allows their shoppers to get in with dogs trained as service animals. However, the decision to allow emotional support dogs inside the store rests with each store’s manager. You can call the store to confirm if they can allow your dog.