Solo Travel How to Act Around a Service Dog

Solo Travel How to Act Around a Service Dog: Post by Solo Trekker’s Jhonna Tirpak:  Many people are confused about how to act around a service dog and it can cause an issues for the handler with the disability and the dog’s motivation and work in general.  Here are some tips of how to act when a service dog is on duty during your travels.  First never assume a dog (or other service animal) in a transportation or public area is NOT a service animal.  Some wear vests, but others simply have collars, or the handlers are carrying the ID’s and paperwork. 

Solo Travel  How to Act Around a Service Dog: The Basics:

First the basics: 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.  There are multiple types of service dogs, and with the correct paperwork and/or doctors notes for anything from flight anxiety to a physical impairment the dogs will have been trained under their specific category.

Solo Travel  How to Act Around a Service Dog:

Here are some tips to follow when meeting or approaching a working assistance dog and his or her handler.

Tip 1;

• Don’t touch the dog without asking permission first! This is a distraction and may prevent the dog from tending to the human partner. Be sensitive to the fact the dog is working and may be in the middle of a command or direction from its human partner. Most dogs need to be told to be “released” from work mode to interact with someone.

Tip 2:

• Never feed the dog. It may be on a special diet. Canine Companions for Independence dogs are generally on a feeding schedule as well. Food is the ultimate distraction to the working dog and can jeopardize the working assistance dog team.

Solo Travel  How to Act Around a Service Dog:

Tip 3:

• Speak to the person, not the assistance dog. Most handlers do not mind talking about assistance dogs and their dog specifically if they have the time.

Tip 4:

• Do not whistle or make sounds to the dog as this again may provide a dangerous distraction.

Solo Travel  How to Act Around a Service Dog:

Tip 5:

• Never make assumptions about the individual’s capabilities. Offers of help are appreciated, but ask first. Usually, the human/dog team can get the task done by themselves.

Tip 6:

• Don’t be afraid of the dog. There is no need to be afraid of a dog that is clearly allowed in the public space, following the above rules you will not be too close to the animal without speaking to the handler but these dogs are trained to be in the public space. Service dogs are carefully tested and selected for appropriate temperament. They have been professionally trained to have excellent manners. Always approach an assistance dog calmly and speak to their human partner before touching or addressing the dog.

Please Note: You have the right to raise questions with the authorities if the dog is not behaving and does not seem to have the proper training.  Do not take this upon yourself with the handler, authorities are trained to deal with these situations.