Service Dog Teams in Public Places

As discussed in a previous blog post, service dogs are recognized as “necessary medical equipment” by the law as they allow disabled people to maintain a normal and independent life.

Service Dogs Are Unique

Service dogs have been highly trained to work with a calm temperament and predictable behaviors while ignoring all distractions and staying focused and under full control of their handler.

Appropriately trained service dogs avoid reacting negatively to other people, animals or situations which may put their handler – or another person or animal – at risk. This is usually where untrained “service dogs” are unmasked when out in public. Dogs who lunge, snap, bark, growl, whine, pull on the leash, steal things, threaten public health laws or aren’t house-trained are not “Service Dogs” protected under the ADA.

Service Dogs: Free Access to Public Places

The ADA or Americans with Disabilities Act allows all disabled people and their trained service dogs to access public places open to able-bodied people. It is specifically against Federal law to deny a service dog team access to any public buildings, public transportation and more including:

Restaurants including self-service food lines (like a salad bar)
Grocery and Retail Stores Hotels
Hospitals (and ambulances)
Apartments
Office Buildings
Theaters
School Campuses
Parks
Public transportation including buses, airplanes and taxis

Regardless of local laws, the federal ADA law cannot be overruled by local or state laws. Also, a service dog team cannot be charged an extra fee because of their service dog even if a pet fee is usually charged. All “reasonable modifications” must be made to accommodate the Service Dog Team per the ADA law.

We’ve talked about the unwanted behaviors of service dogs in public. But what is expected from those who come across a working service dog team in public?

Learn more about Service Dogs and Service Dog Teams Here!

Meeting A Service Dog Team: What Should You Do?

While there is an acceptable “code of conduct” for service dog teams in public spaces, there is also some do’s and don’t’s for those who may come across a working Service Dog Team.

Remember, the service dog is not a pet. They are working dogs helping their disabled person with a medical need; in other words, the dog is an active extension of the disabled person.

Do Not approach a working service dog team without permission no matter how tempting! Approaching a working team can distract either the dog or the handler with disastrous consequences. Remember, the dog is working to keep his partner safe and independent. This involves offering food to the service dog, asking to pet the dog or take a picture or video without permission.
Do Not allow your dog to approach a service dog.
Do Not ask about the person’s disability or for the dog to demonstrate what they can do. The ADA only allows 2 questions regarding service dogs and they are:j
1. Is the dog required to help with a disability?
2. What is the dog trained to do?

All other questions are illegal and should be avoided.