What exactly is a service dog?

According to the ADA’s website “Service animals are defined as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities.”

Service dogs can be used for a multitude of different disabilities such as:

- blindness ( seeing eye dogs)

- deafness

- mobility issues

-seizures

-PTSD

Thats just the icing on the cake in terms of what dogs can be used for

On my personal FB I post quite often about my dog, Doc who I use as a service dog for my PTSD. The difference between Doc and a well behaved pet dog is Doc is task trained to warn me before I have a panic attack(interrupt) and calm me down once I am in the midst of a panic attack (deep pressure therapy). The fact that he knows those two commands are what makes him my service dog.

Are there things that I should not do when interacting with a working team? OF COURSE!!

Things you should not do when you encounter a service dog include ( but are not limited to)

- trying to talk to the dog

- giving the dog commands

-harassing the handler or dog

- petting the dog without permission

- asking the handler about their disability

- feeding the dog “treats” or “snacks” while they are working

Where are service dogs allowed to go?

“Under the ADA, State and local governments, businesses, and nonprofit organizations that serve the public generally must allow service animals to accompany people with disabilities in all areas of the facility where the public is allowed to go.“

Is it legal for an establishment to ask that a dog is registered?

Short answer, no... HOWEVER they can ask what tasks the animal performs for you

If you would like more info check out this link on the ADA website:

https://www.ada.gov/service_animals_2010.htm

What can members do?

Members can follow each other, write and reply to comments and receive blog notifications. Each member gets their own personal profile page that they can customize.

Tip:

You can make any member of your blog a writer so they can write posts for your blog. Adding multiple writers is a great way to grow your content and keep it fresh and diversified.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Head to your Member’s Page

2. Search for the member you want to make a writer

3. Click on the member’s profile

4. Click the 3 dot icon ( ⠇) on the Follow button

5. Select Set as Writer