A 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 go shopping
- They must book using the Cérge app at participating stores
- Sam Harrington uses it to buy his cat
Animal lovers who struggle to leave home without their pets can now head to the supermarket with their furry friends.
And it’s a game-changer for many, including Sam Harrington, who suffers from PTSD and hates being separated from his beloved cat, Coco.
The cancer survivor, who relies on Koko to stay grounded, says that in her times he was an “outcast” whenever he took his cat out in public.
But now all he has to do is let the local IGA know when he and Coco are on the way and they welcome him with open arms.
Game-changing support is provided by the Cérge app that aims to help make going to the shops an “inclusive” experience for everyone, especially people with disabilities.
Man raves about how a brand new ‘life-changing’ app allowed his fluffy cat to accompany him to the grocery stores where he was once shunned for bringing his furry best friend with him
Sam has suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) since he was diagnosed with cancer and had to undergo surgical but life-saving treatments.
he He developed a lot of anxiety about daily activities and found that he was constantly discriminated against due to his invisible disability.
Coco was a saving grace, but things felt like they were falling apart every time Sam had to go out without him.
“It’s hard enough surviving cancer and dealing with PTSD, but also having to deal with people who discriminate against me and my support animal is just too much,” Sam told FEMAIL.
“Coco is my helper cat and helps me stay grounded, calm and in the present moment.”
Sam admitted to experiencing several days where it was impossible to leave his home without the support of his service animal.
There were multiple instances of supermarket staff demanding that Sam tie his cat up in front of the shop or simply leave the premises – which was “devastating” and made him not want to shop anymore.
“It was hard to even consider going to a larger store when I settled on White’s IGA in Mount Coolum,” said a local Sunshine Coast resident.
Cérge is an assistive technology application for individuals with disabilities to receive personalized 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’d be there in an hour to do some shopping.”
Shocked, Sam greeted him with big smiles and greeted him appropriately.
What experience! The cancer survivor said: ‘Bronwyn, Beck and Lani made me feel so welcome and like we weren’t weird or annoying at all.
He added: “I have PTSD – I can be emotional at times so this welcome made a great first impression. I felt very comfortable.
Sam was glad he took some of the stigma out of people with disabilities and helped workers learn how they could help in an inclusive and meaningful way.
Cérge was founded by Victoria and Chris Kerrisk in 2019 to help clients with disabilities, parents, carers and support workers find accessible places.
Cérge was founded by Victoria and Chris Kerrisk in 2019 to help clients with disabilities, parents, carers and support workers find accessible places.
Customers are allowed to communicate directly with the staff for their customer service requirements via the app on arrival or up to one hour in advance.
Roz White, owner of IGA Supermarkets on the Sunshine Coast, is making Cérge available at all IGA locations in Australia.
The app has made it possible for dozens of Australians to take their pets with them when they complete grueling tasks.
