Come Dine with Us at Second Annual 'Tables & Tails'!

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 is one of the laws that helps ensure people who use service dogs can access buildings and businesses in the course of their daily lives. Together with Iowa restaurateurs, Central Iowa non-profit Paws & Effect will celebrate the 25th anniversary of this landmark legislation with its Second Annual "Tables & Tales" event!

Throughout July, select Central and Eastern Iowa restaurants will contribute a portion of proceeds to support training service and mobility dogs for children and military veterans.

"These business owners regularly open their doors to make dining experiences that are memorable, safe, and enjoyable for all patrons," says Nicole Shumate, executive director of Paws & Effect. "We’re humbled that they’re extending their hospitality to help us celebrate and improve service-dog access in our community."

Established in 2006, Paws & Effect is a Des Moines, Iowa-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that raises, trains, and places service dogs with military veterans and children diagnosed with medical needs. The group also registers therapy animals through Pet Partners, and regularly hosts NADAC-sanctioned dog-agility events for fun and fund-raising. Its new Beaverdale neighborhood storefront also serves as a training center, as well as home base to Troop 232 of the Dog Scouts of America.

"Restaurant and bar owners, hospitality managers, and food service personnel are often at the front lines of ensuring that guests who use service dogs are able to exercise their rights of public access hassle-free," says Shumate. "Service dogs aren’t pets or companions. Instead, a service dog is trained to perform physical tasks to mitigate a given person’s one or more medical conditions. The reasons for someone using a service dog may not be visible, but they are vital to that person’s quality of life."

"It’s just like using a cane, or wearing glasses,” she says. “And the law protects all of us."

Patrons can participate in "Tables & Tails" by dining at these sponsoring restaurants:

• Beaverdale Confection Co.: July 29

• Culver’s of West Des Moines (Jordan Creek): July 27

• Culver’s of West Des Moines (22nd Street): July 27

• Culver's of Urbandale: July 27

• Eden's "Sundae Sunday," featuring ice cream from Indianola's Outside Scoop: July 26, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• Encore Pizza, Johnston: July 29

• Fire Creek, West Des Moines: July 28

• Flix Brewhouse: July 28

• The Flying Mango: July 29 and 30

• Good Sons Pizza: July 30

• Good Sons Bar: July 30

• Grounds for Celebration: July 30

• Le Jardin: July 29

• Jett and Monkey's Dog Shoppe: July 26

• Trostel’s Dish, Clive: July 25

• Trostel’s Greenbriar, Johnston: July 25

Additional sponsored prizes and events are provided by:

• Back Country Outfitters

• 801 Chophouse (Des Moines)

• Lucca