Pets · 5 min
When you meet an assistance dog
An assistance dog is working: give it space, speak to the person rather than the dog, and offer help only if they want it.
Assistance dogs help people with sight loss, hearing loss, epilepsy, diabetes, autism, mobility needs and other conditions. When the dog is working, it is concentrating, and a stroke or a call from a stranger can distract it at an important moment. Knowing how to behave around one is a small kindness to its person.
The steps
Four small steps,in your own time.
Do not touch, feed, call or try to catch the attention of a working assistance dog, even if it looks friendly.
Speak to the person, not the dog, as you would to anyone else.
If you think the person may want help, ask them first, and follow their answer.
Keep your own dog close and under control, away from the assistance dog, so it can keep working.
The reason
Why it helps
A distracted assistance dog may miss a step, a sound or a warning sign that its person depends on. Speaking to the person treats them as the one in charge. Asking before helping respects that they know best what they need.
A gentle variation
If a child wants to say hello, teach them to ask the person first, and to accept a no kindly. Some handlers are happy for a child to meet the dog when it is off duty.
WE · TRIBE
Try itwith someone.
Teach the rules to children and to everyone in your household, so everyone knows them. If you know someone with an assistance dog, ask them what helps when you are out together.
Try it today
Today, teach someone in your home the three rules: do not distract, speak to the person, ask before helping.
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