Service
dogs are like any other dog cute and adorable, most of us want to just go up
and pet them. However, you can’t or
shouldn’t. A service dog is working for
their handler and should not be disturbed.
Any petting or distracting of
a service dog could potentially put his owner in danger. Distracting a service dog could prevent the service
dog from recognizing signs or behaviors from their handler that could be
life-saving. The service dog's attention could be drawn with just a hand wave
or just say a word to them which could cause them to miss a trigger or scent their
owner. It is important to remember that
a service dog is not a pet but rather a medical necessity and has a
responsibility and loyalty to his handler to keep him safe and secure.
Each service dog’s
training is specific to the handler’s needs; hearing
the door knock, when someone is calling them, when the fire alarm is going off,
calming a person with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) during an anxiety
attack and etcetera. Pending what the
service dog is being training for there are diabetic service dogs, seizure
service dogs, seeing-eye dogs, mobility service dogs and so one. Each will be trained for the specific
condition of their handler.
If
you are to come around or in contact with a service dog it is best to:
Communicate eye to eye
with the handler, not their dog. Do not
just approach the dog and pet without requesting, however, it is best just not
to pet the dog even though it is hard to resist. Please if possible allow the service dog to
pass with room; even though the disability may not be visible there is a
disability there. If you are
uncomfortable or their dog is in the way, please let the handler know so they
can adjust their service dog.
It is best no to do the following when a service dog is present:
Again, do not pet without permission.
Do not distract the service dog in any matter. Do not feed the service dog. Do not ask questions about the handler’s
disability it may be an uncomfortable situation for them to discuss.
The Americans
with Disabilities Act is
a federal law that prevents discrimination against people with disabilities and
their service animals in public and private places. Even though ADA does not
require you to register your service dog, the state laws may vary and have
further regulations for you and your service dog, so it is best to research for
your specific state or a state you will be visiting so that you and your
service dog will be in regulation.
The
ADA provides protections for you and your service dog, but does not require you to register or to certify your dog as a
service animal. This federal law states
that you can bring your dog with you into a business, including restaurants,
movie theaters, retail stores, hotels and taxicabs. These businesses cannot
exclude you or your service dog or be able to treat you differently than any other
customer. However, business owners can
ask you: If your dog is a service animal required because of a disability and what
tasks the service dog is trained to perform for you. However, a business owner cannot ask you to
describe the nature of your disability, demand proof that your dog
is a service animal, ask for medical documentation of your disability, or request
that your service dog performs a task.
If you are traveling with a service dog there are other specifications
that may be requested such as: asking you for proof of your disability or for
proof that your service dog is a trained service dog under the ADA and the Air
Carrier Access Act. Some of the
documents that are acceptable are: proof of your disability and requirement for
a service dog with a doctor's letter. Obtain documentation from the training organization such as
the certification or identification card from where you obtained your service
dog from. Before traveling on any public
transportation it is best to review their requirements on their website as well
as call the airline, train, bus and etcetera to let them know a service dog
will be with you.
Service dogs can be any
dog that passes the requirements to be a service dog and the training. Service dogs are not breed specific so it can
be a pug, pit bull, Rottweiler, German shepherd, Labrador retriever, Boston terrier
and etcetera. When you see a service dog
with the service dog vest on be open minded and realize that dog and handler
when through a lot of training hours to achieve that vest and privilege to have
the security to be able to go out shopping, fly, eat at a restaurant, and so
on.
If you were to witness a ‘service
dog’ that is out of control and the handler is not doing or cannot do anything about
the dog is most likely not a trained service dog. Other signs of a non-trained service dog are
if the dog is not housebroken and urinates or defecates inappropriately. The dog is whining, barking, growling, or making
other noises. Picking up or stealing
food, unless tasked for by handler’s requirements. The dog is pulling on their leash/harness
unless the dog is performing a mobility task for their handler. The dog is wandering away from their
handler. The dog breaks from a stay
position or is anxious, agitated or aggressive.
If the dog is ungroomed, smells or appears uncleaned. The dog is easily distracted, jumping,
scratching or engaging with other dogs, children or people. The dog is in a stroller or shopping cart, the
dog is not able to perform their duties being restricted and not being at their
handler’s side.
Not to say these dogs are
bad dogs they are just not service dogs and should not be passed as one because
of the repercussions of what could happen if an improperly trained is
approached and reacts. There is a law to
protects those who really need the service dog.
A lot of time, training from the handlers and trainers are put into each
of these service dogs. Each service dog
is required to be re-certified each year to maintain their certification. Being a service dog is a lot of responsibility
taken on the part of the handler, trainers, training facilities and service
dogs not to be under minded but those who just want to have their dogs with
them. Be respectful to those who truly
have the disability, whether the disability is scene or not, if your dog is not
a certified service dog by the appropriate training facilities take the time to
get them trained or leave them at home. Hopefully,
within time there will be a national registry in which legit service dogs will
be easier to be identified and handlers of fake service dogs will be held
accountable. It is sad and upsetting when a legit service dog and handler are handled rudely and disrespectful because of the few that abuse the law. Please be more respectful. Thank you.
#veteranservicedog
#veteranservicepug #pug #pugnation #pugworld #pugservicedog #pugs #veteran
#certifiedservicedog
Other
resources available:
http://www.ada.gov/service_animals_2010.htm
http://www.ada.gov/svcanimb.htm
http://www.assistancedogsinternational.org/standards/assistance-dogs/standards-for-dogs/training-standards-for-service-dogs/
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