Game changer for animal lovers who can’t be separated from their pets: Here’s how you can go shopping with your cat or dog in tow
- People can take service animals, even cats to shop
- They need to book in using Cérge app at participating stores
- Sam Harrington uses it to take his cat shopping
Animal lovers who struggle to leave the house without their pets can now head to the supermarket with their furry friends in tow.
And it is a game changer for many, including Sam Harrington, who struggles with PTSD and hates being separated from his beloved cat, Coco.
The cancer survivor, who relies Coco to keep grounded, says in times gone by he was ‘shunned’ whenever he took his kitty in public.
But now all he needs to do is let his local IGA know when he and Coco are on the way and they welcome him with open arms.
The game-changing support is offered through the Cérge app which aims to help make heading to the shops an ‘inclusive’ experience for all, especially people with disabilities.
A man is raving about how a brand new ‘life-changing’ app let his fluffy cat accompany him into grocery stores where he was previously shunned for bringing his furry best friend along
Sam has suffered from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) since he had cancer and had to undergo invasive but life-saving treatments.
He developed a lot of anxiety around everyday activities and found that he was constantly discriminated against for his invisible disability.
Coco has been a saving grace, but things felt like they were falling apart every time Sam had to venture out without him.
‘It’s hard enough surviving cancer and dealing with PTSD, but also having to deal with people discriminating against me and my support animal is too much,’ Sam told FEMAIL.
‘Coco is my assistance cat and helps me stay grounded, calm, and in the present.’
Sam admitted to experiencing several days where it’s been impossible to leave his house without the support of his service animal.
There have been multiple instances where supermarket employees have demanded Sam tie up his cat at the front of the store or simply leave the premises – which was ‘devastating’ and made him not want to shop anymore.
‘It was hard to even contemplate going to a bigger store when I settled on White’s IGA in Mt Coolum,’ the Sunshine Coast local said.
Cérge is an assistive technology app for individuals with disability to receive personalised customer service from businesses they trust
‘I used the Cérge app to let them know I had Coco, all the necessary documents, and that we would be there in an hour to do some shopping.’
Sam was shocked to be welcomed with ‘big smiles’ and greeted appropriately.
‘What an experience! Bronwyn, Bec, and Lani made me feel so welcome and like we weren’t strange or a bother at all,’ the cancer survivor said.
He added, ‘Having PTSD – I can be triggered at times and so this welcome made a fantastic first impression. I felt so relaxed.’
Sam was glad that he got to breakdown some stigma for people with disabilities and helped workers learn how they can assist in an inclusive and meaningful way.
Cérge was founded by Victoria and Chris Kerrisk in 2019 to help customers with disability, parents, carers, and support workers to find accessible venues
Cérge was founded by Victoria and Chris Kerrisk in 2019 to help customers with disability, parents, carers, and support workers to find accessible venues.
It allows customers to communicate directly with staff of their specific customer service requirement via the app upon arrival or up to one hour beforehand.
Roz White, the owner of IGA supermarkets in the Sunshine Coast, is working to make Cérge available across all IGA locations in Australia.
The app has made it possible for dozens of Australians to be accompanied by their pets when completing daunting tasks.
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