{"id":2809,"date":"2018-04-15T09:00:53","date_gmt":"2018-04-15T08:00:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.travall.com\/en-gb\/?p=2809"},"modified":"2020-03-04T16:19:17","modified_gmt":"2020-03-04T16:19:17","slug":"to-pet-or-not-to-pet-assistance-dogs-that-is-the-question","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.travall.com\/en-gb\/to-pet-or-not-to-pet-assistance-dogs-that-is-the-question\/","title":{"rendered":"To pet or not to pet assistance dogs: that is the question"},"content":{"rendered":"

When<\/span> Travall<\/a> exhibited at Crufts at the end of March we were lucky enough to witness demonstrations given by assistance dogs at The Kennel Club’s show stand. <\/span><\/span>Over the last couple of decades, different types of animals are increasingly used to help people in their daily lives who live with a broad range of physical and behavioural conditions. \u00a0There are many benefits of using these animals, with the result that they are being employed more widely and with greater frequency. Today, chances are that you are more likely to meet service animals in your daily routine than in previous years. Many people are unsure whether or not it is OK to pet these assistance dogs who are actually at work, so here are some tips on the best approach.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Types of assistance dogs<\/span><\/h2>\n

Assistance animals fall into 4 different categories depending on the type of assistance required.<\/span><\/p>\n

Service animals
\n<\/b>Service animals are specifically trained to perform tasks relating to the handler\u2019s needs. Not just for the visually impaired, hearing dogs for the deaf, and mobility dogs allow people with differing needs to go about daily tasks with a greater level of autonomy and liberty than in previous generations. \u00a0People dealing with seizures, post-traumatic stress disorder, autism, anxiety, and diabetes also benefit from using service dogs.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"Assistance
Demonstration at Crufts 2018 showing how assistance dogs can help people with autism<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Working dogs
\n<\/b>Police or military dogs are in the working dog category. Sadly, with terror threats being a more common occurrence over the last 15 years, we tend to see more of these dogs on duty. \u00a0This is particularly true at airports where they are now an intrinsic part of the security process, rather than just used to detect contraband at customs.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Therapy animals
\n<\/b>In recent years there has been a rise in the number of therapy dogs used in various settings such as hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and even in courtrooms. These dogs differ from service dogs in that their role is to provide affection and comfort to people, helping to reduce anxiety, stress and sometimes acting as an intermediary between the care recipient and professional staff.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Emotional support animals
\n<\/b>Typically used by people with specific behavioural health conditions requiring extra support and comfort, these animals may accompany an owner or may be employed by a business to help improve customer experience.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Things you should do with assistance dogs<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

Do interact with the owner or handler
\n<\/b>Interact with the owner but<\/span> not<\/b> with the animal. \u00a0The owner and animal are a team and the owner\u2019s life could depend on his team member staying focused on the job. \u00a0It is better (and not considered rude) to ignore the service dog altogether. Therapy and emotional support dogs are slightly different. \u00a0For example, if the dog is an airport employee whose role is to help calm passengers, then it is OK to interact with the animal.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Do act respectfully
\n<\/b>Service dog owners will not want to discuss their personal details with a stranger. \u00a0If you cannot figure out why the owner needs a service animal, don\u2019t ask them. Equally, if you offer help and the owner doesn’t accept it, don\u2019t worry. \u00a0Help from others can interfere with the work of the service dog and can confuse commands previously given by the owner.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Do keep your own dog on a tight lead
\n<\/b>Keep your own dog away from the service dog completely as other pets can be distracting for the working animal.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Do allow service animals into your business
\n<\/b>If you are a business owner in an establishment that normally does not allow pets, you are legally required to allow entrance to certified assistance dogs.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Do educate children about service animals
\n<\/b>Explain to children that service animals and working animals are not like regular household pets and that they have a special job to do to help the owner. \u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Things you shouldn’t do with assistance dogs<\/span><\/h2>\n

Don’t pet the animal
\n<\/b>You may be the biggest dog lover in the nation, but don\u2019t be tempted to pet a service dog. Petting the dog distracts him and may prevent him from following out a complete command. \u00a0An example is dogs that detect seizures. They need to give a 10-minute warning so that the owner can get to a safe place or get help. If you distract the dog by petting him, he may not be able to warn the owner in time, which could be catastrophic.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Don’t give treats
\n<\/b>Many service dogs are on specific diets and need to stick to that diet.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Don’t make assumptions
\n<\/b>Don\u2019t assume that if a service dog is asleep he is off duty. If he is out with his owner, he is working.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Don\u2019t assume that only dogs and only certain breeds of dog can be service animals. Many breeds of dog and different types of animal are suitable to assist people.<\/span><\/p>\n

Don\u2019t assume that service dogs are only for adults. \u00a0Children also benefit from having assistance dogs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Don’t fake it
\n<\/b>Don\u2019t pretend to have your own service dog. \u00a0You may want to put a special coat on your pet and visit \u00a0places where pets can’t normally go, but please don\u2019t. Allow people with genuine needs to receive help from genuine service dogs.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The best approach to meeting assistance dogs<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

Put yourself in the shoes of an individual living with physical or mental conditions, which can be life-threatening. \u00a0If an animal gave you the opportunity to live the fullest, most independent life possible, how would you react to someone interfering with and compromising the hard work of that service animal?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To pet or not to pet assistance dogs: that is the question. The answer? \u00a0If you are <\/span>not<\/b> the individual receiving therapy or service, <\/span>do<\/b> not pet<\/b>. Encountering a working assistance dog is perhaps one of the most appropriate situations in life to adopt a don’t-touch approach. Following this guideline and the others mentioned above, we can allow these incredible animals to carry out their invaluable work. You can’t help but be in awe of them – I know I am.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

When Travall exhibited at Crufts at the end of March we were lucky enough to witness demonstrations given by assistance dogs at The Kennel Club’s show stand. Over the last couple of decades, different types of animals are increasingly used to help people in their daily lives who live with a broad range of physical …<\/p>\n

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