#servicedogetiquette

While it is not required under the ADA to have your Service Animal marked in any way, it does make things easier. Cora’s vest is prominently marked because I have had a couple of incidents while we were out in the past. Her vest also includes a few Morale Patches, my old unit patch, and since I was a Paramedic (as well as other positions in Emergency Services) is stocked for bleeding and BLS Airway Control. I also have the GoPro Sessions Camera that I have mounted by modifying the mount to hook directly to the MOLLE attachment points. I also have lighting for our nighttime outings. Also, and again NOT required under the ADA, Cora has been registered with the County as a Service Dog. This was a serious fight since I self trained Cora but, if you are persistent and know the law you can be recognized by an Official Government License which further guarantees your rights. In some areas this can mean a free permanent tag for your Service Dog. Know your State and Local Registration Laws. NO Agency, person, or business can require your Service Dog be registered with ANY website that claims to be a registry. It is in violation of the Federal ADA if they do, AGAIN and I can not stress this enough, know the law. Also remember, that no matter if you claim your Dog is a Service Dog, people can tell by the way that Animal behaves if it is properly trained or not. They should not be taught to use an audible alert. Alerts by a Service Animal should be passive and show NO aggression to anyone. If you say your Dog is a Service Dog, make 100% certain it is before you leave your house with it!

If you've ever been out with your Service Dog you know how things go. The people doing the kissy, come here shit. Or scrunching wrappers at your Service Dog. Fortunately, Cora ignores them, unfortunately for them I don't. I generally attempt to be polite but, using a firm tone, ask them to please not distract my Service Dog. Then the questions come. Why do you have a Service Dog? My usual response is she keeps me from busting idiots like you in the mouth. That generally puts an abrupt end to the questions. If someone approaches us and asks to pet Cora I generally have no issue, I even try to educate. The one thing you should remember is that the Dog is there for you and frankly you don't have to answer anyones questions or even give them the time of day. Don't feel guilty if someone is an assclown and you choose to ignore them. Your Service Dog isn't there for their amusement or pleasure....

If you’re out and about and come across a person with a Dog standing in line don’t distract the Dog. The Dog is there for a reason, while it may not be obvious why the Service Dog is there, it’s there for a reason.