Jingles (part Lab, part Golden Retriever) is a Guide Dog that was a finalist in Service Dog category for the 2013 American Humane Association's Hero Dog Awards. Her little friend, Maizie, is a diabetic alert dog. Together they help their human deal with multiple disabilities. What a great team!
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Recently I attended a program at a church in another city. I found a great seat on the front row. At the end of the row sat a woman with a very large dog beside her. The dog was wearing a vest that identified it as a service animal. She and I struck up a conversation and I complimented her on her handsome dog. Although she was relaxed, her dog was working almost every minute, ever watchful and aware in case he was needed.
My new friend told me she is constantly amazed by the way people respond to her service dog. She said many folks don’t understand that if they do something to distract the dog, they may keep him from doing his job, which is to take care of her.
Dogs and other animals can be trained to do amazing things to provide assistance to people who have physical or other types of disabilities. It’s easy to recognize some service animals, such as guide dogs, but others – like hearing dogs that are trained to alert deaf people to sounds – are not so obvious. Many service animals wear a vest identifying them as such.
So what is proper etiquette when you encounter a service animal? It’s important to remember that service animals can go many places where pets ordinarily are not allowed, such as restaurants and hospitals.
Also realize that a service animal is not a pet. When it’s off-duty, it may romp and play and do “pet” things, but on-duty it is someone’s lifeline and needs to be all business. Never talk to a service animal or try to pet it or feed it or make noises to get its attention. In fact, most people with a service animal would prefer that you just ignore it altogether.
Service animals – including dogs, miniature horses, monkeys – are sometimes referred to as assistance animals or support animals; but they all have one thing in common. They make life better, for so many people. So the next time you see a working animal helping its owner, be courteous and don’t intrude. Instead, go home and share a little extra love with your own four-legged friend, who offers you companionship and emotional support, when you’re speaking of pets.
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