Well, actually, you can pet a service dog - if the dog's handler gives you permission. In fact, you should ask permission before petting anyone's dog. Not all dogs are friendly and approaching a strange dog and trying to pet him is a good way to get bitten.
However, it's even more important to ask permission before petting a service dog. That's why many service dogs have patches on their vests or harnesses that say something like "Do Not Pet" or "I'm Working, Do Not Pet Me."
Why shouldn't you pet a service dog? Because the dog is working. Petting the dog distracts him from his job. A dog that's too distracted to do his job might merely inconvenience his handler, but it may actually put his handler in danger. Remember, people only have service dogs if they have a disability that causes significant difficulty with basic activities. They need their service dogs to perform the tasks for which they are trained.
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