“I am a Disabled Combat Veteran and carry with me a Sugar Glider for Emotional Support (registered as ESA). On or about 2/21/2020 at around 1030, I was kicked out of a Publix store located at 4401 13th
St Saint Cloud, FL 34769-6724 because, “an ESA is not the same as a Service Animal, so they don’t have to let me in. After about a half hour in the store (almost no customers in and a non-disruptive ESA), Jeff (Store Manager) approached me and told me he could not allow me in the store with my Glider; I told him he could and showed him my ESA key chain. He mumbled something like, “we’ll see” or “I’ll check,” as he stormed off. He came back within ten minutes and told me I’d have to leave because since my glider was a ESA and not a Service Animal, he didn’t have to grant me access. I wasn’t even given the chance to buy what was already in my shopping cart; mind you, I am disabled and walk with a cane, so for me is taxing and painful to move around. By kicking me out of the store ensured I had to perform the same activity in another store. I said he would hear from me, but he brushed it off saying he didn’t care.”
