[nagdu] . Teaching Your Kids about Service Dogs.

[Artie.]

http://momsblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2010/08/teaching-your-kids-about-servi.html

Teaching your kids about when it's okay to approach service dogs

Growing up I always thought that if someone had a service dog they must be blind. I even saw a film on guide dogs when I was in elementary school that suggested the same thing. Then one day I saw a small dog with a service vest on and thought " how could such a small dog help someone see?". I had no idea that dogs were used in other areas. My step kids being dog lovers always want to approach dogs and when they saw their first service dog I told them that they needed to get permission (good rule for any dog). The lady said no, that that the dog was "working" but my kids didn't understand how a dog was working. I had to explain that the dog was helping his owner with some sensory need that the owner was deficient in (sight, balance or other medical condition.) I explained that it was a service dog and it had been trained to help their owner.

One of the things I never realized is how many different reasons that people could use a service dog for. One might help guide the blind; another might detect and alert the owner to an oncoming seizure. I have even known dogs to help people with arthritis. One of my friends has a Jack Russell Terrier that is a service dog, when he comes to visit I see people stare and point. It was the first time I had experienced this.

Recently I overheard a mom tell her kids to stay away from a service dog because the owner had problems. I hate the fact that the kids now think that people with service dogs have problems and are unapproachable. I talked to my friend that has a service dog and asked him how he suggested kids and adults approaching him. Here are some guidelines for helping your kids understand service dogs.

When you see a service dog in public you may approach the owner and ask if you may pet their dog. Some people are okay with this and some do not want to distract the dog from his job. Don't take it personal if they say no, they might not want their dog to get off the task. If a dog has a vest that says "working dog - do not pet", I probably wouldn't even ask.

Don't stare (or point), you may not know the reason the person has a service dog. They might be a trainer of the dog or have a disability. Either way we should treat them with the same respect you teach your kids to give to everyone else. A warm smile can go a long way.

My kids asked me a lot of questions on what the dogs can do and if they can go in stores. I was curious as well so I asked my friend and he provided me with the following:
"In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990:

BUSINESSES MAY ASK:
--Is this a service dog?
--What tasks does the service dog perform?

BUSINESSES MAY NOT ASK:
--About the person's disability.
--Require any sort of identification or attire for the dog. (Although having the latter helps head off problems before they arrive by giving even casual observers the visual cues they are used to seeing of service animals.)
--Charge additional fees because of the dog.
--Refuse entry, isolate, segregate, or treat the person less favorably than other patrons.

A SERVICE DOG MAY NOT BE REQUIRED TO LEAVE THE PREMISES UNLESS:
--The animal is out of the owner's control and the animal's owner does not take effective action to control it.
--The animal poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others.

Any business that sells or prepares food must allow service animals in the public areas even if state or local health code prohibits animals on the premises. The ADA is federal code and, therefore, takes precedence over all state, county, municipality, or local ordinances.

Refusal to provide equal access to people with disabilities with services animals is a federal civil rights violation provided by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Violators of the ADA can be required to pay money damages and penalties.

AIRLINE RULES:
--Service animals are required to be carried in the cabin; and while they are generally trained to lie down in front of or next to the passenger, they may not block any aisle or exit row. Additionally, if they are small enough, they may be lap-held by the passenger needing their assistance.

--Although it is not required that a passenger notify the airline that he or she will be bringing a service animal, it may be a good idea to notify the airline ahead of time so that they can seat passengers traveling with cabin pets in places that will less the potential for disturbance.

--Service animals may not be required to be placed in a carrier.

--Comfort companion animals are not service animals but must be allowed in the cabin with the passenger needing them IF that passenger presents documentation from his or her physician outlining the need for the animal in flight. 

Bottom line is treat a service dog the way you would treat any dog you don't know, make eye contact with the owner, ask before petting and thank the person after you pet the dog. I feel that if our kids see us make these gestures they will learn to be respectful of others.






        Artie and GDF Golden gide dog JJ by the Gulf, west central Flor'da.
        Dusty's Light will Shine Forever!