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What Is The Best Way To Interact With A Service Dog In Public?
It can be hard to resist interacting with a service dog – we know! But there are important reasons to respect a service dog team’s space. What isn’t hard is learning the right way to start a conversation with a service dog handler!
- Service dogs are working dogs, not pets. Even when they might appear to be “off duty,” there’s a good chance that they are waiting for the next task from their handler. Think of a service dog as being “on call” when they are resting next to their handler – always ready to step in!
- Petting, feeding, talking to, photographing and making noises at a service dog can put the service dog team in danger. Service dogs pull wheelchairs and listen for important sounds in the environment. Distracting a service dog could mean missing when it’s the handler’s turn to be seen at the doctor, or causing a service dog to veer off a path while propelling a wheelchair.
- Service dogs are great conversation starters! Speak to the handler, not the service dog, and you’re sure to get a few answers to your questions. Do ask how the service dog helps the handler. Don’t ask what someone’s disability is. Keep in mind that people with disabilities can be in a rush like anyone else, and might not have time to chat.
