[nagdu] On-line People Magazine advice about interacting with assistance dogs

Ed and Toni Eames eeames at csufresno.edu
Wed Sep 9 16:49:48 UTC 2009


>Hi all,



>Another exciting media event mentioning IAADP 
>and quoting Toni's advice.  It appeared on-line of  People Magazine.
>
>><http://www.peoplepets.com/news/pets-in-the-news/petiquette-why-you-shouldn-t-pet-a-service-dog/1>http://www.peoplepets.com/news/pets-in-the-news/petiquette-why-you-shouldn-t-pet-a-service-dog/1 
>>
>
>Headline:
>Petiquette: Why You Shouldn't Pet a Service Dog
>by Amy Jameson
>
>You like to think of yourself as the "dog whisperer" of your neighborhood,
>greeting canines on the street, on the train, in other public places. But
>when you spot an adorable guide, hearing or service dog, you're all
>fur-klempt. What are you supposed to do?
>
>We asked the advice of Toni and Ed Eames, the creators of the International
>Association of Assistance Dog Partners, a nonprofit group that represents
>people partnered with helper dogs. The Eames, who are both blind and use
>assistance dogs, say the proper way to react to one of these pups is not to
>react at all.
>
>"These dogs are working and they need to concentrate," explains Toni.
>"They're in their working clothing as we call it ‹ harnesses, backpack,
>vests ‹ and so their partners want them to keep their concentration."
>
>Reaching out, touching the dog, calling to it, whistling, or feeding the dog
>are "absolute no-nos," the Eames say. "Some dogs are on very special diets,
>and feeding them can create major problems for the disabled partner," Toni
>says.
>
>It's also important that you avoid eye contact with a service dog. "An
>example I give when I talk to kids groups is: Let's say I'm on the second
>floor of the mall, and at that moment, you choose to talk to my dog or call
>to her or make eye contact. And the dog doesn't stop at the top of the
>stairs," she says. "My life is in danger. My health in danger."
>
>And while it's never appropriate to pet an assistance dog without
>permission, Toni says some people may allow you to do so. So what's the best
>way to greet a person with an assistance dog? "The proper way is to talk to
>the person," says Toni. "Introduce yourself, not so much putting the dog
>first, but the person first."
>
>






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