What NOT to Do When You Meet Someone with a Service Dog

When you meet someone with a service dog, please do not:

• Pet the dog without asking.
• Pet the dog even if the person with the dog says not to.
• Call to the dog or make weird noises to try to get the dog's attention.
• Bark at the dog.
• Meow at the dog.
• Ask the person with the dog why he or she needs a service dog or what his or her disability is.
• Tell the person with the dog that they don't look disabled (many disabilities are not easily seen, including seizure disorders, autism, Asperger's, depression, PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, dissociative identity disorder, traumatic brain injury, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and many others).
• Tell the person they are lucky that they get to take their dog everywhere.
• Ask the person how you can get your pet "certified" as a service dog so you can take it everywhere with you (there is no "certification" for service dogs and you can't have a service dog unless you are disabled).
• Assume the person is blind.
• Follow the person with the service dog around, staring at them.
• Allow your children to approach the dog, pet the dog, pull the dog's tail, or otherwise bother the dog.
• Try to give the dog food.