I went out to eat tonight, and as I was waiting for my table, a couple sat down next to me to wait. The gentleman was being led by a large dog wearing a vest, and sporting a funky handle.
I haven’t seen one in a while, as I don’t think we have many in town. But I realized that this was a service dog.
Service dogs assist people with disabilities. They may help detect seizures, or assist the hard of hearing, or–the most common experience most of us have had with them–help the blind navigate through obstacles. Sometimes they’re called “seeing eye dogs”.
You see them in public places because we now have laws that guarantee access in public places for guide dogs. These laws supersede the health code laws governing restaurants, for example. So, Paris Hilton can’t bring her toy poodle to Applebees, but the gentleman I saw tonight was well within the law by bringing his dog with him.
Unfortunately, some folks don’t know the etiquette regarding service dogs. I saw lots of children petting the dog tonight, as it was a very charismatic-looking dog, and people were naturally drawn to it.
Service dog etiquette has some very good reasons behind it, though. You should never pet, or feed, or whistle to any service dog. It tends to distract them, when they should be focused 100% on their owner. They go through extensive training to develop this focus; watching out for potentially harmful situations that their owner may accidentally become a part of, for example.
By distracting the dog, it takes time to regain it’s focus, and get back on track. This is potentially dangerous for the owner, and very upsetting for the dog.
If in doubt, simply ask permission. Most service dog owners are very proud of their dogs, and will talk about them at length. There’s a very good chance the owner will be happy to give you permission to pet the dog, but it should be the owner’s choice.
Don’t be offended or put-off is the owner declines your request. Service dogs get a lot of attention wherever they go. You’re very likely the 17th person that day to ask about the dog, or ask for permission to pet the dog. I know I would certainly be cranky after a day like that!
A service dog is just as important to a blind person as a wheelchair is to a paraplegic. The dog means mobility, freedom, independence, and confidence in interacting with a chaotic and scary world.
So, please do the dog and it’s owner a favor; don’t pet them, don’t call or whistle to them, don’t stare at them in a restaurant-no matter how pretty the dog is-and be respectful of the owner’s choices about the dog.
Regards,
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Really nice piece on the way to treat people with disabilities and their service dogs. Thank you for helping to educate the community about the needs and respect needed for people with disabilities. One point though was your use of the term blind person and paraplegic. In the disability community we feel very strongly that everyone use people first language. Person before disability, such as person who is blind or visually impaired and a person who is paraplegic. Language is so powerful we must use it well. Again thanks
Welcome to my blog Reenie!
And thank you for alerting me to my faux pas! This is an area where I don’t have much experience, so I’m not very current on the etiquette.
Great post Wulfgar! It always bugs me when I see other parents letting their kids just run up and pet service animals and not do anything about it. Whenever our kids see one and want to pet it we just tell them that the vest means they are “working” and we don’t want to interrupt them because they are doing a very important job. I wish more people would get informed about this subject.
I wish more parents thought like you do! I think the problem though, is that it just doesn’t occur to the parents.
And I know that the dogs are always so attractive, and fun to pet, and well…they’re just dogs. Who doesn’t like dogs?
The good part though is that the dogs are already having a great time. They get to be with their owner all day long, in close contact. They do the things their owner wants them to do, and that’s really what a dog wants. They get to ride in the car all the time, see new people, and go all over town to smell new and smelly things. Then, when needed, they get a much higher level of medical care and food then a non-Service Dog.
It’s really win-win for the dog. And I’m sure, in their little hearts, they’re secretly happy about the petting too. For just a second… Then it’s BACK TO BUSINESS!