DO NOT PET OR TOUCH THE DOG. This distracts the dog from working and could cause a distraction that may be detrimental to the person using the dog. Many people also consider the dog as an extension of themselves, touching an assistance dog is sometimes the same as touching the person.
DO NOT CALL THE DOG, TALK TO THE DOG OR MAKE KISSING SOUNDS. This can be a severe distraction to an assistance dog .
DO NOT LET CHILDREN TOUCH THE DOG OR TALK TO THE DOG. Assistance dogs are not considered pets and should not be treated as such when they are working.
DO NOT TELL YOUR CHILDREN THAT THE DOG BITES. Instead explain to them that the dog can not be petted because it is working. Assistance dogs are very gentle animals but need to pay attention to their person.
DO NOT FEEL OFFENDED WHEN YOU ARE ASKED NOT TO PET OR TALK TO AN ASSISTANCE DOG. An assistance dog is being used to help a person with a disability NOT for public amusement.
DO NOT FEED THE DOG. The diet of assistance dogs is very important and should be taken care of by the dog's owner. Food is also a distraction to a working dog.
DO NOT GIVE THE DOG COMMANDS. This is the job of the dog's person.
DO IGNORE THE WORKING ASSISTANCE DOG.
DO EDUCATE CHILDREN AND OTHERS ABOUT ASSISTANCE DOGS.
DO REMEMBER THAT ASSISTANCE DOGS ARE GENTLE, LOVING DOGS THAT HAVE A JOB TO DO.
DO REMEMBER THAT ASSISTANCE DOGS ARE WELL BEHAVED AND ENJOY WORKING. Assistance dogs go through extensive training and enjoy doing their job. Only a select number of dogs admitted to a assistance dog school actually graduate and become working dogs.
DO REMEMBER THAT ASSISTANCE DOGS ARE ALLOWED TO BE IN PUBLIC PLACES WITH THEIR PERSON. The Americans with Disabilities Act allows assistance dogs to go anywhere the general public is allowed as long as they are with their person with a disability.
DO CONTACT DELTA SOCIETY OR ANOTHER ASSISTANCE DOG ORGANIZATION IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS.
Delta Society- 1-800-869-6898 deltasociety@cis.compuserve.com http://www.petsforum.com/deltasociety/
Independence Dogs Inc.(610) 358-2723 Assistance Dogs International (303)234-9512
idi@independencedogs.org
Thanks from Jen & Kramer
(1997 graduates of Independence Dogs Inc.)
and all assistance dog teams!