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What is a Service Dog?

By DAVE ROGERS - 14 Year Combat Veteran
Posted 3/12/22

Those that know me or notice me will see me around town with my service dog “GRUNT” (unless he is having a spa day that is.)  Grunt is not an accessory or a status symbol; he’s a necessity for me in my daily life. Believe it or not there are days that I wish I could simply go about my day without Grunt.

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What is a Service Dog?

Posted

Those that know me or notice me will see me around town with my service dog “GRUNT” (unless he is having a spa day that is.)  

Grunt is not an accessory or a status symbol; he’s a necessity for me in my daily life. Believe it or not there are days that I wish I could simply go about my day without Grunt. Not that I don’t appreciate all that he does for me, but since having a service dog comes with a lot more attention than I want at times.  

Like most veterans that have a PTSD service dog, there comes a lot of anxiety with knowing that people are constantly staring and asking questions. The idea of having a service dog is so that you can get out more, and be more social, at the same time it can become consuming.  

Sometimes I would like to simply go shopping without 15 people coming up asking me if they can play with grunt, or asking me 15 questions about what are service dogs, why do I have one, or what kind of dog he is?  

Like many, while I normally don’t mind answering questions as it comes with the territory, there are times when I simply want to pop in and out of a store like a normal person or sit down to a meal without having to pause to answer many questions about what a service dog is.  

Those like me who have a real service dog know that much of this comes in part to so many people using service dogs as a status—so they can take their dogs with them. The blind use them as well.  

With the field growing, it is important that people know the difference. While there are Comfort Dogs, Emotional Support Dogs, and Therapy Dogs, none of these are actual “service dogs.” Service Dogs are not just specifically trained to assist a person with needs, but also require specific training for behaving properly in public.  

This is not to say that they are perfect, but that in general know not to do things like bark (unless there is distress), not to jump on furniture, not to beg from the table, and most importantly not to simply walk away from their handler.  

The idea that you can simply get a note from a doctor, or go on-line to buy a certificate and vest, or even take your dog to a trainer to simply turn them into a service dog is misleading and incorrect.  

A service dog must be trained by a certified trainer, but also must meet certain requirements to be a service dog. On average only 1 in 3 dogs pass the test to become a service dog.  

As well, those requesting a service dog must meet certain requirements for needing the dog, as well as pass a background check (the handler is representing the agency that gave you the service dog.) I guess the hardest part is at the end of the day, a handler (the person with the service dog) does not own the dog, they are on loan.  

A good example is Sully, former President George H.W. Bush’s service dog. After the passing of Bush, Sully has gone on to become an ambassador and comfort dog. The reason they usually take on these rolls after a handler passes is because these dogs are trained for the needs of a specific handler and finding another handler with the exact needs or retraining the dog is not so easy.  

On the other side, typically when a service dog retires, the handler depending on their need and requirement will get another service dog. So, what are the ins and outs of a service dog you may ask?  

  1. It is important to understand that while service dogs are friendly it is important not to just grab them or try to talk with them. Service dogs are preforming a duty and distracting them takes them away from preforming that job. While some handlers may let close friends or co-workers pet their dogs, don’t take it as a rejection if they say no, after all the dog is there for them, not to play with you. It important is to understand that service dogs are not sitting on a shelf waiting to be handed out. If something happened to Grunt it is not like they can simply issue me another. It can take 2-3 years for a replacement.
  2. Though it is true that service dogs can go most places, with a few exceptions (i.e., surgical suites, professional kitchens or anywhere with hazardous materials), the handler is responsible for ensuring that the service dog is acting in a professional manner. If the dog is jumping on furniture, begging, barking, running around the room, or jumping on people a business has the right to ask the person with the dog to leave the location.
  3. Most service dog agencies provide a vest and id for the service dog, to identify which agency they come from and the service they provide. Most people with a service dog will have the vest on to identify their dog and what the dog does for them, but the vest and id are not required by federal law. This can make it difficult sometimes when traveling with a service dog as some states may have these requirements. However, know that handlers with service dogs in states that do not have these laws may not be able to provide an id or papers, it is best to error on the side of trust that it is a service dog, unless it is not acting proper in public.
  4. It is okay to question if the dog is a service dog, or even to ask what duties they perform. I know businesses that are afraid to ask the questions out of fear of a confrontation, but these questions are okay. The important thing to understand is that service dogs are an important part of that handler’s life, so please be respectful in doing so.  

If you see me and Grunt around town, don’t be afraid to say ‘hi,’ most people start with “Hi Grunt! and that guy with him.” Just keep in mind that Grunt is there for my PTSD (Post-traumatic stress disorder), so if I don’t give you an eager hi back, I am not being rude, I am likely having a hard day.  

Thanks, Grunt. Good boy.