You cant touch that

Today we are seeing more service dogs and assistance

dogs than ever before.

They are not all labradors and golden retrievers.

Not all assistance dogs are for the blind.

Many disabilities are not visible.

If you see a person with an Assistance Dog or it looks

like they may be training an Assistance Dog, please

give them space.

Very often the person training the dog is the person

with the disabiity.

That person may have PTSD and do not want to engage

with people.

Some people may have an Assistance dog to alert to medical

Conditions.

These people rely on the dog to keep them safe. The dogs

are trained not to be distracted. So its easy to imagine the

stress both handler and dog experience when a person

initiates conversation or tries to touch the dog.

If you see someone with a dog in a training or Assistance dog

coat or jacket, please leave them alone. Do not talk to the dog

or handler, do not pat the dog, do not stare at the handler or

dog.

I have witnessed people deliberately attempting to distract the

dog by whistling or making kissy noises at the dog. This can have

dangerous outcomes. Recently a lady who relied on her Assistance

dog to alert to impending epileptic seizures was very badly injured

when someone deliberately distracted her dog. Her dog failed to

alert to a seizure, not only that but this dog was trained to find a safe

place for his handler so that she would not be injured during the

seizure. Unfortunately due to being distracted, this dog did neither of

his trained task and the lady was seriously injured.

Please do not talk to the dog or handler.

Please do not look or stare at the dog or Handler

Please do not touch the dog