Abby Marie - 🌱👸🐾 Let's Talk Service Dogs - A Reality Check
🦮🐕🦺
As a seasoned guide dog handler, I need to address something that's becoming a serious problem. Real service dogs are medical equipment, not status symbols.
REAL Service Dog Handlers DO NOT:
• Use their dog to intimidate others or ego-flex
• Brag about how their dog would "protect" them
• Ignore or justify aggressive behavior
• Flash ID cards from online registries (These are SCAMS)
• Need to prove their dog's status with registration numbers
📢 To Business Owners, Staff, AND THE PUBLIC:
You have the right (and responsibility) to speak up when you see a "service dog" acting aggressively or inappropriately. You don't need to be an employee to advocate for safety and legitimate service dog teams.
Yes, owner-training is legal - but with that comes the responsibility of proper training and behavior standards. A legitimate service dog should be:
• Calm and controlled in public
• Focused on their handler
• Non-reactive to people/other animals
• Clean and well-groomed
• Working, not socializing
When Encountering a Service Dog Team:
DON'T:
• Pet the dog
• Make eye contact with the dog
• Call the dog's name or make excited noises
• Feed the dog anything
• Touch the harness or leash
• Make squeaky sounds or try to play
• Distract the dog in any way
DO:
• Direct all conversation to the handler, not the dog
• Maintain eye contact with the handler when speaking
• If interested in petting, ask the handler first
• Wait for the harness to be removed and the handler to release the dog before any interaction
• Respect the handler's right to say no to interaction
When we stay silent about fake service dogs, we put legitimate teams at risk. Speak up. Know your rights. Protect those who rely on these amazing animals for their independence.