Windsor woman claims Via's service dog policy could cause training problems
Via Rail policy only allows one service animal per passenger
A Windsor woman who relies on a service dog to manage her anxiety claims confusion over Via Rail's policy towards support animals could cause problems for training other service dogs.
Emily Sadowski suffers from severe anxiety and has a service dog named Priya she cannot be without. But she is also training another dog named Lilo that needs to be delivered to Toronto.
She was supposed to travel to Toronto with the two animals Thursday, but was refused service by Via Rail.
"It's frustrating, but it's the life of having a service dog," she said. "People assume you just want to bring the dog places … but I can't function without the dog. It's impossible for me."
Emily said she fears the person in need of Lilo is going to miss out as travelling by train is part of a service dog's training program — Emily relies on Priya, so traveling with only Lilo to Toronto would be nearly impossible for her to do.
In a statement sent to CBC News the company stated it's their policy to only allow one service or emotional support dog per passenger.
"This policy complies with the Canadian Transportation Agency's (CTA) code of practice, as well as with all requirements under the Canada Transportation Act," wrote Via spokesperson Miriam Diaby in an email.
The company offered the family a full refund for the ticket, but Mark Sadowski, Emily's father, said it's too late to make other travel plans for her and the dogs.
"They've been life-changing for my daughter, they really have … and the dog she's taking on will be the same for the person she's going to and it's just not proper that they say 'No' to something they said 'Yes' to just three months ago," he said.