Service Dog Etiquette

How to Behave Around a Service Dog

The Americans With Disabilities Act guarantees people with disabilities the right to be accompanied by a service animal in all areas open to the general public. Service animal means any assistance dog or other animal individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability. 

Remember that an assistance dog is a working dog, and you do not want to do anything to interrupt the dog from performing its tasks.
 
When meeting a person with an assistance dog, don’t be afraid of the dog.  These are well trained dogs who have been tested to ensure an excellent temperament and has been professionally trained to ensure good manners.

Here are some tips to follow when meeting a working dog and partner:

• Speak to the person first and not the dog.
• Do not distract the assistance dog with food or greetings.
• Do not touch the assistance dog without permission.
• Do not ask personal questions about the handler’s disability or intrude on his or her privacy. 
• Do not be offended if the handler of the assistance dog does not want to talk about his or her assistance dog.