Have you ever seen a service dog team in public and immediately wanted to approach the dog because they were so cute? Maybe, you are a dog lover and wanted to share all your favorite stories about your furry friends. Maybe, you wanted to make noises to get the dog’s attention? While all of these might seem harmless, this can be very distracting and even dangerous for a service dog team.
A service dog is a dog that has been specifically task trained to help an individual with a disability. There are many roles that service dogs play, and all disabilities may not be visible. Under the Americans with Disabilities, service dogs are legally required to have full public access if they met the specific criteria of a service dog. The criteria includes that the dog must be trained to perform specific tasks directly related to the person’s disability. Service dogs are different than emotional support animals and have different public access rights.
So instead of potentially distracting a service dog team, here are some ways you can show love towards a service dog team:
- Although it may seem unnaturally, but one of the best ways to show support and respect for a service dog team is to leave them alone especially in a public setting. This could look like not approaching the team or engaging in conversation with the dog or the handler. Service dogs are vital tool for an individual’s safety. Even a small distraction can cause the dog to become unfocused on their handler.
- Avoid talking about the individual or the dog in public. Individuals unintentionally may say hurtful comments or make unnecessary judgements about a person’s disability or tasks the dog is performing.
- Limit telling personal stories or showing pictures of your own animals. While this may seem friendly, the handler may not want to engage in conversation and are often trying to complete errands without distractions.
- Never pet a working service dog without asking for permission. Again, this is a distraction that can be harmful to both the handler and the dog. Typically, when service dogs are in public, handlers prefer them to not be petted. If you ask, and are told no, know this is not personal but ensuring the safety of both the handler and the dog.
- Teach younger children about the role of a service dog. Children may show various emotions when they see a service dog in public. One of the greatest gifts a caregiver can give a child is explaining the role of a service dog and why it is important to not distract the dog. This helps children become aware of the important job a service dog has and how to show respect to individuals who are using a service dog.
- Speak up if you see discrimination. Businesses or restaurants may not be informed about the specific rights of a service dog teams. If you witness an individual experiencing access issues, you can speak up and remind the business what questions can be asked of the service dog team. The questions a business or employee can ask are:
- Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability?
- What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?
The business cannot ask specific questions to the individual’s disability or deny service because of the presence of a service dog. Showing love also includes advocating when there may be a problem or lack of understanding.
- Always show respect and compassion anytime you see a service dog team. This may look like talking to the individual directly instead of talking to the dog. Also, it could look like greeting the individual by name instead of always speaking to the dog. If you see a service dog team where the individual is experiencing a medical crisis, ensure both the dog and the individual are safe. Even if you do not fully understand an individual’s disability, everyone deserves to be treated with respect and dignity.
The love that occurs within a service dog team can be contagious. Service dogs allow individuals to have more independence and engagement in the community. Frequently, the bond that occurs between the handler and the dog is heartwarming. The best way to extend that love towards a service dog team is to allow the dog to stay engaged with the owner to perform life-saving tasks.