General Service Animal Insights & Rules
A service animal, traditionally dogs, can be trained to help those with certain disabilities with specific, trained tasks. However, inexperienced people may not know how to approach or interact with service animals. Likewise, it can be insightful to learn about service animals’ general rules and insights.
What should individuals keep in mind when seeing a service dog? Keep reading to learn more.
What is a Service Animal
A service animal takes care of its owner and their specific disability or condition. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a civil rights law that protects people with disabilities, recognized dogs as service animals on March 15, 2011. Additionally, the ADA defined service animals as “dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities.” The dogs are trained for specific disabilities and tasks so their owner can live a more comfortable life.
However, service animals can be trained by their owner or professional programs but do not require certification. The ADA states, “People with disabilities have the right to train the dog themselves and are not required to use a professional service.” Likewise, the ADA does not require service animals to wear vests or other forms of identification. The dogs prioritize their owner’s needs and train to predict panic attacks, provide medication reminders, detect onset seizures, and more. This defines a service animal, but what are the general rules when interacting with one in public?
Courtesies to Consider
Generally, service animals should not be approached or distracted by strangers as it can indirectly affect their owners. Paws of War, an animal protection organization, advises against touching or approaching a service animal before speaking with the owner. They claim that “interacting with a working or training dog could put the other half of his team — his owner — in harm’s way.” They add that it can “interfere with the dog’s focus and inhibit his ability to pick up commands.” In public, service animals only focus on their owner and their needs, but can act like normal dogs when commanded by their owner. The dogs are trained very well to detect health problems and, if needed, may ask for assistance from nearby strangers.
What to do When Approached by a Service Animal
Service dogs recognize when to approach a stranger for assistance but sometimes misjudge a situation. Guide Dogs of America, a service dog training program, cites sniffing or pawing at a stranger as an indication of assistance. Additionally, they advise “this may be unwanted behavior that needs correcting,” so it is best to speak directly with the owner. In addition, they encourage identifying the situation before calling 911 or other help.
Lone dogs may want a stranger to follow them to their owner and provide further help. Cesar’s Way, a dog training and information center, states, “If a lone service dog approaches a stranger, it may mean the owner needs help.” Identifying the situation is key, and a service dog with a vest may provide further information carried in their vest.
To Conclude
Service animals constantly work to keep their owner healthy and comfortable with their surroundings but acknowledge assistance when needed. Individuals can still interact and pet the dogs when appropriate but should generally keep to themselves unless approached. Ultimately, service animals provide essential assistance to their owners but also work with them to manage a healthy daily life.
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