**Service Animal Refusal**
I would have gladly given GoZark Resort 5 stars, but after what happened with my psychiatric service dog, I cannot recommend this property.
I am a veteran with PTSD and travel with a trained service dog. She was quiet, under my control, and caused no disturbance.
The owner, Joy, asked if there was a dog on her property. I explained she was a service animal. Joy stated she did not care and that no animals are allowed and told us we needed to leave.
We had to completely leave the resort and inconvenience friends to arrange care for my service dog just to salvage our trip.
The situation is especially concerning because Joy later texted my spouse asking whether we were checking out because of the dog and offered a refund to find accommodations that accept pets. We explained that we had taken our service dog to a friend and would return without her. She acknowledged the message.
The resort's policy says **"NO PETS ALLOWED,"** but under the ADA, service animals are not pets and generally cannot be excluded because of a no-pet policy. Businesses may ask whether the dog is required because of a disability and what work or task it is trained to perform. Instead, we were simply told the no-pet rule applied.
My service dog was not aggressive, disruptive, or damaging anything. She was doing exactly what a trained service animal should do.
After being separated from my service dog, I experienced a PTSD episode. This is precisely why access protections for service animals exist.
I have reported the incident to the appropriate authorities and am pursuing the matter through the proper channels.
This was not about an unruly pet.This was a trained service animal accompanying a disabled veteran.
Businesses have every right to protect their property, but they also have legal obligations regarding legitimate service animals. I hope this situation results in a better understanding of those obligations
If you are a veteran or disabled person who relies on a service animal, I strongly recommend knowing your rights before booking this property. read more