Picture this: you’re walking down the street and see a beautiful, well behaved, dog coming in the opposite direction. You get ready to approach the owner and ask to pet him but then you notice the dog is wearing a vest that says “Service Dog.”  What do you do? If you’re anything like me, you probably still really want to pet the dog, but in these instances, we all have to remember that dog is working, and should not be distracted.  

A service dog is any dog that has been trained to help a person with a disability.  That disability may be physical, mental, or even a disease such as diabetes. Dogs can be trained to sense and assist with a multitude of human problems. The Americans with Disabilities Act requires that service dogs be allowed access to any place their humans go.  These amazing animals enable disabled people to live independent lives. It is estimated there are 500,000 service dogs in the United States so it is likely you’ll come across many in your day to day activities.

Any breed and size of dog may be trained to be a service animal.  The traditional picture of a service dog tends to be a German Shepherd, Retriever, or Labrador, but Bull Dogs, Terriers, even Chihuahuas can be trained to help their owners. The breed is not as important as temperament, intelligence, and loyalty. One of the most important considerations is the bond between dog and handler. Just like people, dogs have personalities and will get along better with some people than others. 

So, when you come across a service dog in public, what should you do?  First, respect the dog/handler relationship, meaning do not come between the dog and his or her owner.  Secondly, resist the urge to speak to or touch the dog. A service dog should be wearing a vest identifying him as one and that vest will probably say “do not pet,” but sometimes it will say “ask to pet.” In those instances, it is ok to ask the handler to pet the dog but always accept a “no.” Finally, do not obstruct the dog’s ability to do his/her job.  Service dogs are allowed everywhere their handler goes so allow space and be understanding.

If you, or someone you know, suffer from a disability you think may qualify you for a service dog, the first step is to visit the Americans with Disabilities website (www.ada.gov) to learn more about the rules.  Then reach out to one of the local non-profit service animal sites in Colorado, such as “Victory Service Dogs,” to help you through the process.