Comments: Service Dogs: To pet or not to pet

“A member of our church congregation brings her service dog with her on Sundays and we all have learned not to pet the dog while she is working, however, the member with the disability will take the harness and stuff off the dog once in while so we can play with and pet her service animal. We appreciate this very much as most of us are dog lovers. That sog is awesome!!!
Susan” — Susan, Feb 10 2010

“I have a card that is not an ID, but has the ADA laws about SD's printed on it. Also be sure to know your states laws, as all are different. I like that popele are finally saying don't pet the dog...tho I have found 1" letters aren't enough to get that point across.” — Michele, May 14 2009

“Did You know if you have more then two different type of disablities you can have two service dog out in public with you under American with Disablities Act They said you might have trained one dog for hearing, then later on you got other disablities so you need another service dog to do the other type of work for you. Don't let places tell you you can only have one service dog out in public, you are only allowed two service dogs out in public.” — SAM, Apr 20 2009

“Not all service dogs wear a harness when working out in public. To get a service dog law card go online to pup'parel to buy them. also it would be a good idea to buy the access required by law patch to have your SD wear when out in public.” — Pami, Apr 10 2009

“If you what a ID badge for your Service Dog so you will nnot have propblem going in to places, go online to Pup'parel and ask Lisa when the Service Annimal ID badge will be out. also she has Access Required By Law Patches and if you use a epipen and have a service dog for thisshe has epipen responds dog patches out shethe first and only service dog website that sells this type of patch.
Pass the word on.
And let herknow Pami sent you.” — Taffy, Mar 11 2009

“To answer treefearie07 questions.

Yes there are some businesses that will down right refuse you and your service animal access. Some in hopes that they could just intimidate those whom chooses to have service animals to gain independence.

They sometimes will demand you to tell them about your disabilities. Show some sort of ID or Certification on the animal which doesn't jive as our animals do not have legal rights it's people with disabilities that has the right to be accompanied by an individually trained service animal. And it's against the federal law including the admendment.

Some businesses have been misinformed about the rights and responsibilities as I have been asked about such by some businesses. While others just do not care even if you carry the laws with you. Even if they read it in black and white they will still deny you. For me this only happened twice so far and hopes no more. And yes I carry flyers which has the summeries of the laws and what service animals are.

However some individuals have been refused access more then I could count. Many are those with invisible disabilities though some are in wheelchairs and are still denied.

The newest problems are schools denial! (eg Autism Service dogs).

” — LetRVoiceBHeard, Nov 05 2008

“I wonder if people with service dogs ever have trouble getting into public places? I mean, even though public establishments are required by law to allow service dogs on the grounds, surely there have been some instances where the owners just won't allow the dog in. I wonder how often things like that happen? Do service dog owner's keep copies of the law handy? It seems like a smart thing to do, just in case.” — treefearie07, Nov 05 2008

“Hi there:
I think this gives people information to think about these service dogs as working dogs not pets when they want to pet these dogs. Alot of people are not aware this idea.

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“Great advice about not petting a working dog. You wouldn't pet a dog at the airport who was sniffing for bombs, right? If the owner is quietly seated, you might ask to pet the dog. But even with permission, keep it brief and low-key so the dog doesn't lose focus on his main job. ” — pcarpenter, Oct 23 2008