While food shopping the other day, I ran into three handlers with service dogs-in-training.
How do I know they were in training? Each dog was wearing a bright green vest that said they were learning to be service animals. My second clue was that the handlers were running the dogs through their paces — sitting, laying down, and heeling on command. I stopped to watch at a bit of a distance, not wanting to interrupt the lesson.
You might encounter a service animal just about anywhere: the mall, the food store, an airport terminal, a restaurant, and more. Do you know the right way to interact with the animal and their handler?
First things first: you should never run up to a strange animal — any strange animal! Always ask the owner’s permission before you pet a strange animal. Sometimes, the animal is shy or frightened, and the owner would rather the pet not be approached.
Greet the owner before you interact with the pet. Ask if you may pet or otherwise interact with the animal.
If the owner says yes, they may want to have the animal sit (or perform some other task) before you interact. Wait patiently until the owner says it is okay, and then pet the animal. Follow any special instructions from the owner — for example, they may suggest where or how to pet the service animal.
If the owner says no, please don’t be insulted. There is probably a good reason why they said no! The animal may still be in training, or may be skittish around strangers, or may simply need to concentrate on the work they are doing.
Either way, be sure to say thanks!
Remember that a service animal is working. They have an important job to do! A service animal is specially trained to help a person with a disability — whether it is guiding a visually impaired person, picking up items a person cannot reach, or pulling a wheelchair.