My name is João Batista Cunha de Araújo, 55 years old, M.D. Plastic Surgeon, and a Costco member for over 10 years. On April 11th, 2024, around 5:30 pm, my girlfriend Amanda Ungaro and I went to the Costco store located in North Miami to do some grocery shopping along with my little service dog which was in my arms. At the entrance of the store, we were rudely approached by an employee asking for what purpose my service dog was there. What was the need, that is, what illness or problem I have that justified a service dog. The employee's name is Polina, who continued to be rude and prevented us from entering the store until a supervisor came to question us. We waited until two employees, said to be supervisors, arrived and continued to insist in a disrespectful way, implying that we were lying about the need for my little service dog. While these impolite and disrespectful inquiries were occurring about my need for such a service dog, the aforementioned employee, Polina, allowed other people’s dogs to walk in, thus demonstrating a lack of judgement and disregard for my needs. In this way, we had no choice but to call the police! We waited for the police officers to arrive, but they could do nothing because the employees told their own version, in which we had not cooperated with the answers that would be necessary to authorize our entry! As if such humiliation and disregard for my illness were not enough, the same employees whose names are César (agm) and José (manager) prevented us from making purchases on that day and in a sarcastic way, as if they were doing us a favor, told us that they would keep my membership active. I have been a Costco customer for over ten years and which I refer it to as a great shopping option to friends and acquaintances. Just check and confirm for how long I’ve been consuming at this store. These employees decry the image and respect I have for this company. I would like to add that my service dog, that has all the documentation and training to be a service dog, has been to this same store countless times, and routinely travels with me all over the world. It is a trained dog for this qualification. I have a psychiatric disorder condition caused by gun violence and use medications to control post-traumatic anxiety and depression. In situations where it is not obvious that the dog is a service animal, staff may ask only two specific questions: (1) is the dog a service animal required because of a disability? and (2) what work or task has the dog been trained to perform? Without anything else to say and after much emotional and physical exhaustion, we turned our backs and left the venue humiliated by the negligence that had occurred. Be reminded that ‘service dog law’ is a federal law that protects my rights. Under Florida law and the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), people with disabilities may bring their service animals to all "public accommodations," such as restaurants, museums, hotels, and stores. These laws also require those who operate transportation services to allow service animals. I request reparation, that is, an apology for these unprofessional and unprepared employees who do not enhance the name of this great company. Hoping to hear from you soon. Sincerely, João Batista Cunha de Araújo