Porky and Buddy Pet Health – How To Behave Around Therapy Animals

by Contributor | July 4, 2014 7:04 am

Dear Porky and Buddy,
I am writing to ask your opinion about something.  I was in the library the other day and there was another patron there with a dog that was wearing a little vest that said therapy dog on it. I thought it was really cute and said hello to the dog and the woman snapped at me and told me not to talk to her dog. What’s with that?  It’s not like they were trying to cross the street or something. I apologized, but she just left in a huff. Did I really do anything wrong?
Mary

Dear Mary,
Trust us, we understand the temptation to speak to cute animals, but in the case of therapy animals you really need to learn to bite your tongue (so to speak). Animals, especially dogs, are increasingly being used to help people with a range of physical, psychiatric or sensory disabilities, mobility limitations and medical conditions.

Not every handler’s disability or medical condition will be obvious and although most service and assistance dogs will be on a leash or harness, or be wearing an identifying vest or tag, this may not always be the case.

For the safety of the handler, it’s important to remember that a service dog is not a pet or companion animal, but is working and should not be interrupted.

When in the presence of a handler and their service dog, you should:

Never distract, pat, talk to or encourage the dog to play or come to you. The dog needs to concentrate fully on its handler, its task, and be alert to any danger.
Don’t respond or encourage the dog if it approaches or greets you.
Always talk to the handler, not the dog.
Always ask permission to pat the dog but be prepared for the handler to decline. Remember, it’s not a pet and has a job to do.
Don’t ever feed the dog.
Don’t point out or draw attention to a handler and their service dog, not only is it rude, but it can interfere with the dog’s work.
Offer a handler help if you think they require it but don’t assume they need it or will accept it.
Never  hold or take a service dog’s leash or harness.
Teach your childrne about these rules and how to behave around service dogs.
Always keep other pets on a leash and away from service dogs.

Service dogs play an important role for their owners, even if their owners seem a little crabby, so let it go.

Go pet your own dog.

Speaking of having fun, the Oswego County Humane Society is holding its 15th Birthday Bash and Clambake on July 20 from 1 to 5 p.m. at Bayshore Grove, Bayshore Drive, Oswego.

Come join in the fun and celebrate with us.

All the clams you can eat, grilled foods, a huge buffet (with vegetarian selections, of course), free draft beer, cash bar, games, a $5,000 hole in one contest,  a $500 lottery scratch-off board raffle, a fabulous silent auction and live entertainment.

You can buy tickets, $50 per person, online at www.oswegohumane.org

The Oswego County Humane Society provides spay/neuter services and assistance, fostering and adoption of animals in urgent need, humane education programs, and information and referrals to animal lovers throughout Oswego County.

Our office is located at 265 W. First St., Oswego, NY.

Phone: (315) 207-1070.

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.oswegohumane.org

Because People and Pets Are Good for Each Other!

Source URL: https://oswegocountytoday.com/community/porky-and-buddy-pet-health-how-to-behave-around-therapy-animals/

---