I hope I'm not BU to make a PSA about service dogs!
It surprises me how little people know about service dogs and I'd like to give some life saving advice.
Service dogs are used by people with a disability. They are trained (sometimes by a charity sometimes by individuals) to perform a service or task.
They are seen in the eyes of the law as medical equipment, just like a wheel chair or oxygen tank.
You can have a service dog for ANY disability, blind, Deaf, epileptic, autistic, mobility problems, EDS, fibromyalgia, PTSD any disability, qualifies. So they might not be a guide dog. And no they might not be a labrador.
My retired hearing dog is a beagle.
The most important thing to remember is that they are working. This work could be saving the life of the handler.
If you approach the dog and make kissy noises, talk to the dog, stare at them, feed them, touch them or distract them in ANY way, you could be putting someone life at risk.
A lot of people say "ask if you can interact with the dog"
This is polite, but honestly? We get asked that question almost everywhere we go, multiple times. We feel bad saying no. But even 20 seconds of petting means that dog could miss an alert.
You're asking someone to risk their lives/health to pet a dog. some may say yes some may say no.
So please, don't ask. Teach your children not to ask or approach. They're people going about their business.
By law you're allowed to ask the handler "is your dog a service dog?" And "what tasks are they trained to perform" nothing else!! They dont have to be registered or carry ID or certification and its illegal to ask.
I can't count the times people would say to me,
"So what's she for? What disability do you have? You don't look disabled? Are you going to be sad when she goes to live with her disabled handler? Are you being paid to train her?"
It's offensive. You do not ask someone in a wheel chair why they're in it and question whether they really need it. It's NONE of your business. No one asks your medical history on a regular basis.
And yes, service animals are allowed in every public place. Including where food is and including where people may have allergies. This may be inconvenient, but so is having a life altering disability.
To those who think it's cruel and unfair to work a dog, if the dog does not enjoy its work and Is reluctant, it's not a suitable candidate and will not be trained. If they work for 5 years and suddenly lose interest they will be retired. It's in the best interests of the dog and handler. They enjoy it or they don't do it.
If you see a dog in public and it's lying on the floor with its head down, or it looks "sad" they are fine. They have been trained to be calm and still. They can't get excited because then they're distracted.
Any health problems and the dog gets retired (this is what happened to mine)
The dogs get regular vet check ups and get retired in old age.
They don't all work all the time! Once that vest or harness is off they can enjoy being a regular dog, they get walked for fun and toys and treats!
The bond between a dog and handler is incredible, imagine your pet, but they save your life or give you freedom or independence! theyre often with you always.
I hope you learned something and if you have any questions or a service dog yourself I'd love to read your comments!