A service dog is an asset and a critical part of the lives of many people dealing with disabilities. Service dogs are specifically trained to perform specific tasks for their humans. These tasks may help you be more mobile and give you the chance to be out more. Some of their tasks are matters of life or death. They can play a huge role in your independence, comfort, care, and health.

Service Dog vs Emotional Support Animal

There really shouldn’t be as much confusion as there seems to be about service animals and emotional support animals. An emotional support animal is available to anyone. They don’t require any formal training, and all you need is a statement from your doctor. They offer emotional support, which is important to a person’s health, but they are not an official service animal. Many businesses allow animals of any kind into their establishments, while others do not. This is up to the owner’s preferences.

A service dog has gone through extensive training to be able to perform specific tasks on behalf of their humans. Their training is specific and purposefully designed to help them serve their owners. They may alert their human before a seizure occurs. Some service dogs are trained to alert when their owner’s sugar levels drop. They are often trained to help individuals who have vision or hearing impairments.

Part of the service dog’s training is how to behave in public. They are working and they know it. The dog also knows when it’s time to play or relax and when it’s time to work. Individuals who need assistance can safely take their service dogs with them to local shops and stores and other businesses. A person with a disability and their service animal must be allowed into areas that allow the general public to enter. Service dogs are well-trained, and they will not bark or cause a disturbance in a business.

Service Dog Etiquette

It’s important for community members, business owners, and handlers to be aware of service dog etiquette. A service dog is not just a pet taken for outings on a leash. They are with the person for a specific reason and to offer aid.

Service Dog Etiquette for Community Members

• Don’t talk to the dog – talk to the person.
• Respect the person’s privacy and don’t ask about their disability or to see their ID.
• Don’t disturb the service animal (don’t talk, call, pet, or offer them food).
• Teach children that a service dog is on duty and cannot be petted.
• Don’t jump to conclusions or judgments that the dog is “fake” based on appearance.
• Know what questions to ask if you are an employee or a business owner.
• Do not separate the service dog from its handler in the case of an emergency or medical problem.

Service Dog Etiquette for Business Owners and Employees

• Businesses must allow individuals with disabilities who are using a service dog into their place of business (as long as the general public is allowed).
• You are not allowed to request documentation or a demonstration of how the service animal is trained.
• You are allowed to ask only two questions IF it is not obvious what the service animal provides.
  • Is the service animal needed due to a disability?
  • What task or work is the dog trained to perform?
• You can request that a service animal be removed from your establishment IF it is unruly or not housebroken (this is rare among service animals).
• A business must continue to offer goods and services without the service dog if there was a legitimate reason for removing the animal.
• More information can be found on the U.S. Department of Justice ADA Service Animals.

Service Dog Etiquette for Handlers

• Label your service dog clearly, especially if it’s work is not obvious. You can choose a leash, collar, scarf, or vest that clearly labels them as a service animal. Check out the custom-fitting BrilliantK9 harness designed specifically for service dogs.
• Always respond to allowable questions.
• Remove your service dog from the public setting if they do become unruly, or have a bathroom accident.
• Keep emergency information available at all times (the BriliantK9 service dog vest provides storage options).
• Use a third party if there is a conflict.

It’s important for everyone to understand the purpose of a service dog and how they should be treated while they are in public spaces. It helps the dog do their work better, eases their handler, and keeps the business operations from being interrupted. BrilliantK9 offers a line of custom harnesses for service dogs. We can also help you with a custom harness for an assistance dog. Contact us and let us know what you need, and we will try to make it happen!