Did you, or would you, know what to say or do if you saw a Service Dog team  in action? Did you know that Service Dogs are allowed to go just about anywhere that the public can go…grocery stores, shopping malls, restaurants – even in doctors offices and hospitals? If you answered no, you aren’t the only one.  So many people misunderstand what Service Dogs do, where they can go, and the importance of the role that a Service Dog plays, in the life of a disabled person.

As the two legged half, of a Service Dog Team, I’m always happy to inform and educate, both adults, and children.  Here is some general information, and a few basics when is comes to encountering a Service Dog, and his or her partner.

All Kinds Of Dogs Can Be Service Dogs

When most people hear the words Service Dog, they envision a blind person, with a big German Shepherd Dog, or a Golden Retriever.  Yes, both of these breeds make excellent Service Dogs, but any breed of dog can be a working dog…they just need a good temperament, and a willingness to learn. Big dogs, little dogs, pure bred, and good ole mutts, are now faithfully serving their human partners.

Over the years, many different types of animals have been (and still are) used to help the disabled.  Dogs are the most common and most recognized, but monkeys, parrots, cats, miniature horses, and iguanas, among others, have been trained to work for, and with, their partners. Due to a change in  the DOJ rulings last year,  the only legally recognized service animals, that are now protected under the Americans With Disability’s Act, are dogs and miniature horses.

Do not ever whistle at, call out to, or purposely distract a Service Dog

Besides not being polite, it’s illegal. Would you yank a cane away from someone, or pull a walker out from under them?  Of course not! Consider a Service Dog the same as you would a wheelchair, oxygen tank, or pair of crutches.

Do not pet a Service Dog.

Some handlers do not mind if their SD’s interact with others, but it is always proper protocol to maintain a hands off policy.  Usually, when out in public, a Service Dog will be vested, meaning that the dog will be wearing a vest or bandanna, signifying that he is a working dog, and of course, some will be wearing special harnesses. Most handlers that do not mind petting, will place a  please ask to pet patch on their dog’s vest.  If you see one of these patches, then you may politely ask if it is ok to pet. Don’t ever let your children yell at, throw things at,  hit, or poke a Service Dog (or any dog for that matter).  Even the best behaved and well tempered dog, may bite when provoked.  Feeding Service Dogs, is a big no-no, and when children hand feed any dog, there is the risk of a bite, simply because little hands aren’t always steady, and dogs will instinctively go where the food is. And hey – they have teeth, and teeth are involved in eating.

Be Polite

1. Not all disabilities are visible.  Many people think that a  Seeing Eye Dog (or Guide Dog), is the only kind of Service Dog there is.  Not so.  There are Hearing Service Dogs for the deaf and hearing impaired.  Medical Alert Service dogs who work with people who have medical  conditions, such as Parkinsons Disease, Epilepsy, Diabetes, Allergies,  PSD’s (Psychiatric Service Dogs) for those with mental illnesses, and Balance Assist/Mobility Service Dogs.
   

   JR Owen and R-son SDIT

2. It is NEVER acceptable to ask a person with a Service Dog,  about their disability. Would you ever dream of walking up to a bald man or woman, and asking  them if they lost their hair because of cancer? When you see someone in a wheelchair, do you inquire about why they can’t walk?  I’m sure you don’t.  Unfortunately, for some reason,  many people will ask a Service Dog handler very personal questions.
3. Don’t stare. You don’t have to pretend that you don’t see a Service Dog Team, but treat them like you would anyone else.  If you make eye contact, smile.  If the handler immediately glances away, chances are, they do not wish to converse. If they smile back – great.  Usually we can pick up on a dog lover, and if we feel like talking, we will nod, and possibly say hello. I often carry hand-outs,  for both children and adults, that explain about Service Dog Teams.

Service Dogs are special, but they aren’t perfect.

Although well trained, and of good temperament, they can have their bad days. There are times when they get overly excited, and times when they just don’t feel their best.  They can get tired, bored, and cranky. As handlers, we try to pick up on that, but we humans aren’t perfect either.  If you see a Service Dog, that isn’t at his or her 100% best…remember that once in a while, you have “one of those days” too.

Just Between You And Me

I’m proud of my Service Dog,  Gabe (you can see us in the photo and the bottom of this post), and I don’t mind the attention that he gets when we are out in public, but often people will come up and start talking about him and to him, as if I’m invisible. Those of us with disabilities just want to be treated like everyone else…with respect and kindness!

If You Would Like To Learn More:

There are many sites on the internet that offer a wealth of information on Service Dogs.  Here are a few of my favorites.

• U.S. Department of Justice ( Americans With Disabilities – Service Animals)
• The Guide Horse Foundation
• Service Dog Central
• Psychiatric Service Dogs Society (PSDS)

 

 

We got a great question from a reader and we asked Mom’s Talk Network Expert Mom Crystal Gibson of Fur Kid Fosters for some advice.

I’ve caught my four year old boy hurting our dog several times over the last few weeks and I’m getting concerned. She’s three year old medium size spaniel mix that we adopted just before the holidays and she’s very sweet and patient with him. First he was trying to ‘ride’ her and we explained that we don’t ride dogs and he was probably hurting her why trying. Then I caught him pulling on her whiskers and another time he was poking at her roughly with a toy.

Each time I’ve explained that he’s hurting her but that doesn’t seem to phase him. Do you have any advice for me? How can I get through to him that she feels pain and might ‘have enough’ and bite him – without making him afraid of her?

Crystal’s response:

Great question and it’s one we hear often.Kids just don’t understand that dogs feel pain and have emotions.

My advice would be to keep doing what you’re doing. Keep a close eye on the situation and maybe add in a time out for your son. Explain to him that he can not do things that hurt the dog or he could get bitten. Tell him that the dog will not want to be his friend anymore if he keeps hurting her.

Keep everything on a four year old level and repeat, repeat, repeat.At his age, that’s the only way your son will “get it.”

Some children require a nip from an agitated dog before it all sinks in. My daughter did! She loved to get in the face of our Boston terrier, Bossy. Bossy takes a lot but when she’s done, she’s done. My daughter got a nip on the nose and that was all she wrote, lesson learned.

I hope it doesn’t take that, for your son. But rest assured, repetition and maybe a slight punishment will do wonders. You’re on the right track and I applaud your methods.

Motherhood Lessons is a regular series of posts we share here on Mom’s Talk Network – every day lessons shared by real moms. 

Yes, I believe that Children are like snowflakes… each one of a kind, no two alike.

Having raised 10 children, I have learned that “one size fits all” is a fallacy –  both in clothing and in rearing kids. If you insist on embracing this approach,  you’ll probably become frustrated and disappointed with the outcome, and I can guarantee that your children will.

Yes, Some Rules Are For Everyone.

Every household needs rules, and consequences, but to expect each child to fit into the same mold, is like expecting every apple on the tree to be exactly the same color, shape, size and weight… and to become ripe at the same time.  It just doesn’t happen that way, folks.  It’s so much more advantageous, to set standards that your children can attain, than to expect unrealistic goals.

Different Things Work With Different Kids.

With some of my children, I never needed to raise my voice to make a point.  With others, I practically had to jump up and down in front of them while waving a red flag, and bellowing through a megaphone. Some were avid readers, while a few would rather have their teeth pulled, than pick up a book.  All where musically inclined, but they each followed a “different drummer” so to speak, and chose a myriad of instruments to play. A few excelled in their musical pursuits, some were exceptionable students, and several were quite artsy.

Do you have a stubborn child?  Be grateful.  He will probably be able to withstand peer pressure.  Is your darling little one a little too sensitive?   Fantastic. She will more than likely be kind and compassionate adult.  What about the child who struggles with academics, and can’t sit still?  Or the child who never wants to pull their head out of a book?  Each has a place, and a path to follow, and chances are, that if you look for the silver lining… you’ll find gold in them thar hills.

I am now tagging these moms to invite them to post their own Motherhood Lesson.  (I know you have learned a lot as a mom, so I invite you to participate in the meme and post a ‘Motherhood Lesson’ on your blog.  (Please grab the graphic and link back to this post!) When you do, please tag three more moms that you’d like to see share a lesson too.)

• Tales From The Nursery
• The Bingham Diaries
• Crazyland: tales from the Motherboard