National Dog Day 2022

Communitas is a nonprofit that provides Direct Support Professional assistance in Poulsbo, Silverdale, Bremerton, and Port Orchard for adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities.

Did you know that August 26th is National Dog Day?  This day is to recognize all breeds, mixed and pure.  It’s also a reminder of all the dogs that need to be rescued yearly from multiple places, such as public shelters, rescues, and pure breed rescues.  It’s also a time to recognize the dogs who work selflessly to save lives, keep us safe, and bring comfort to people daily.

As such, we want to bring attention to Guide and Service Dogs.  Guide dogs professionally trained to be utilized by the blind or visually impaired to help them get around in a world designed for the sighted.  Service dogs are professionally trained to help people with disabilities other than blindness.  Both types of trained dogs need to be treated with respect by the general public, and have several guidelines to ensure the safety of the dog and its handler.  Dismissing these guidelines can cause distractions for the dog, which can be dangerous for both the dog and its handler.

Also something worth noting, is that these professionally trained dogs are allowed to accompany their handler in all places the public is permitted ((by the Americans With Disabilities (ADA)).  There are only two questions that you are allowed to ask someone if they enter a public space with an animal: 1) is the animal required because of a disability; and 2) what work or task has the animal been trained to perform.  You may not ask about the person’s disability; you cannot require proof that the animal has been certified, trained, or licensed; you cannot require the animal to wear an identifying vest or tag; and you also cannot ask that the dog demonstrate the ability to perform the task or work.  It is also illegal to deny service to people with service animals because of allergies, fear of dogs, or cultural or religious objections to dogs.  You also cannot isolate people who use service animals from other patrons, treat them less favorably than other patrons, or charge them extra for having a service animal.

What determines whether an animal is legitimately trained to assist a disabled person, is their demeanor.  The handler is wholly responsible for the car and supervision of their service animal.  If the animal behaves in an unacceptable way and the person with disability does not control the animal, a business or other entity has the right to ask that the dog be removed.  A business also has the right to refuse access to a dog that disrupts their business or poses a direct threat to the health and safety of others; for example, if a service dog barks repeatedly or growls at customers, it could be asked to leave.  All service animals are also trained to be housebroken.  Generally speaking, properly trained service dogs and other animals have been trained to assist the disabled person, and to remain under the best behavior at all times.

However, if someone provokes the disruptive behavior by taunting or injuring a service animal, you should be giving the handler an opportunity to gain control over the animal.  Additionally, you should be asking the person provoking the animal to leave the establishment.

If an animal is ever denied entry because it is disruptive and the handler has no control over the animal, the person with disability must be allowed to re-enter the establishment and conduct business without the service animal.

For more information, please visit: https://www.guidedog.org/PuppyRaising/PuppyRaiserManual/Resources/Assistance_Dog_Etiquette.aspx?fbclid=IwAR3kJpMiUh4teHweCuU-MbMeJJyql5NfHhfzTnQ5AvuWjqXk4g6KY7_XzUE