By Jean Morin
PRESQUE ISLE – At our past kennel club meeting, we had a young woman with a service dog share some information with us about her service dog and how he helps her to lead a quality of life that we sometimes take for granted. She made us aware that many of us in the general public lack the knowledge of exactly what it is that a service dog does for their handler/partner and some issues that she has to deal with.
What is the definition of a service dog? A service dog is any dog trained to assist a disabled person in one or more life limiting areas. Service dogs are protected under the American Disabilities Act (ADA) and may accompany its handler/partner in every public environment. This includes housing, schools, grocery stores, department stores, medical facilities, restaurants, motels, public transportation, official buildings and court. There are a few places where a handler and service dog may be legally denied access which include churches (although most allow service dogs), private clubs, private residences, and sterile areas such as operating rooms.
What is a disability? It is any physical or mental condition that substantially limits a major life activity. Activities such as walking, bathing, caring for oneself, and hearing are examples of major life activities. Some disabilities might not be visible such as deafness, epilepsy, and psychological conditions.
There are several types of service dogs trained to perform a wide range of tasks depending on the needs of the individual with the disability. Service dogs can be trained to guide people who are visually impaired, alert their handler with hearing impairment to specific sounds, alert their handler to an oncoming seizure or other medical condition. Service dogs can learn to retrieve dropped items, open doors, assist the handler with balance, and pull a wheelchair.
Service dogs are not pets! They are highly trained professional dogs that do work or perform tasks that are required due to the handlers’ disability. Service dogs are trained to have impeccable manners in public, but, if for some reason a service dog’s behavior is disruptive or destructive, the handler may be asked to remove the service dog from the premises. The handler is also responsible for any damage done by his or her service dog.
Handlers of service dogs must obey local leash and vaccine laws and must have their dogs under control at all times. When you meet a person with a service dog, please remember that the dog is working. Don’t do anything to interrupt the service dog while it is performing its tasks. Service dogs are not required to wear a vest nor is the handler required to carry certification papers. Should someone need to know if the dog is a service dog or not, simply ask the handler, “Is this a service dog?” You may not ask the handler about the nature or extent of his or her disability. Speak to the person, not the dog. Do not distract the dog with noises, food, or attempts to pet.
It’s also impolite to stare at the service dog. If you have kids or pets, do not let them interact with the service dog without the handlers’ permission. It is illegal to fake a service dog and many states have high fines and/or jail time. In the state of Maine, it is a $500 fine to fake a service dog.
Therapy dogs are not considered service dogs and do not have the same rights as a service dog. A therapy dog is a dog trained to provide affection and comfort to people in hospitals, retirement homes, nursing homes, schools, to people with learning difficulties and stressful situations such as disaster areas. Therapy dogs need permission to enter public places, etc.
The Central Aroostook Kennel Club meets the first Tuesday at Riverside Park Building in Presque Isle from 6:30-8 p.m. For more information, call Mel at 764-1259 or Sue at 764-1801, or log onto www.theCAKC.com
SERVICE DOG BENNY assists his handler, Crystal, with her grocery bag – just one of the many tasks he can perform for her.
