Service Dogs of all Kinds

A soldier and his military dog stand looking at the memorial for the fallen dog companions who were sent to serve our country.    Our dogs serve us in many capacities throughout the world.    The military dog protects and defends our soldiers from enemies, human and mechanical; customs dogs protect our harvests from foreign fruits that may carry diseases as well as drugs that cross our boarders.    There are the police dogs who help capture criminals ; search and rescue dogs which locate lost people in water, buildings, woods, or the well known 911 terrorist attack.   We also have canines who minister to our soldiers with P.T.S.D., seeing eye guides, hearing dogs for the deaf, seizure alert, diabetic alert dogs, and the list could go on forever. 

Our canines ask little from us and give us their entire devotion and lives.    The number of troops saved by a dog through out the wars is endless, and our home front would not be the same if they did not play a part in our lives.    Some of the services a dog does is very obvious by the person walking with the white stick, or the police officer with his dog in his car.   Others are not so recognizable, but are working just the same.  It is important to note that one should not reach out and pet any dog who is with their owner without permission, but especially these dogs.   Although the ones you may see at your local grocery store are friendly, they are busy watching out for subtle cues from their handler.
A seizure alert, or panic attack dog is using it's nose to read the handlers condition at all time.   Subtle changes in smell, stance, heart rate, is all information used to determine if the handler is in trouble.   They should be respected for the job they are doing and be aware how very hard it is to override natural scents and sounds as well as hands reaching out to distract them.

Service dogs are allowed in any area that their handlers are in.   You may see them in a court house, doctors office, hospital, nursing home, restaurant, library, or grocery store.    The dogs are not required to wear vests stating their position and the owner is not required to bring proof of the dogs service ability.    This is a federal law and it overrides all states laws.   Imagine if every time our police wanted to use a dog to search a car for drugs and the car owner demanded to see proof that the dog was certified!  Insane, you would say, and the same goes for the person walking along that appears to have no disability.    Far too many owners of places try to demand proof and this only makes it more difficult on the handler.    The person really would prefer to be just left to do their shopping or dining without being treated like a leaper because they chose to use a service dog.
So please, if you are an owner of an establishment, the law only allows you to ask
"Is that a service dog?"
Nothing more.  You can not ask what their disability is, or for papers.   A hefty fine will fall on you or the company you work for if you persist in harassing these people.  

When at the airport we give up all rights in order to board planes  by removing our shoes, going through body scanners, letting our luggage be searched, etc, and if we really want to board that plane, when the dog comes by to sniff us for contraband we won't demand proof that the dog has passed tests to obtain it's current position.    All dogs provide a service to us humans of some type if we allow them.   It may not be bomb detection or serving on the front lines, but we get unconditional love from our pets.   Next time you see or hear of a service dog story, smile to yourself knowing they don't take paid vacations, pilfer from the tills, or get overtime.   In fact they work for little more than dog food and love. 


                                                                                    © PawEarFull Legacys