assistance dogs

Came accross this story on dear abby, I guess i never thought about it. i would never think about trying to pet or feed someones assistance dog.
Normaly when i see stuff like that its kids who want to pet the dog, not adults.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ucda/2007122...ahXeOKL7bNbbUC

It's generally wise and polite to ask the owner or handler of any animal before touching the animal - be it a pet or service animal.

Originally Posted by gemlady

It's generally wise and polite to ask the owner or handler of any animal before touching the animal - be it a pet or service animal.

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I Agree!!
I have a very friendly dog, but she is BIG and gets the wiggles when someone "new" wants to pet her. I greatly appreciate when someone asks before touching her so I can warn them of her wiggles...with a dog her size those wiggles can easily knock someone over.

One of my friends has a service dog and even though I have rolled around on the ground playing with him, I always ask if I can pet him first. This dog is always on duty and he needs to be given a release command before any play or petting can happen...regardless if his handler is my friend or not I would always ask.

I workeds at a blind/handicap school for awhile as a helper. I learned a LONG time ago you should NEVER pet or talk to a service dog when on duty unless you as the owner first.

They are on their jobs and have to have total concentration - no distractions!

ALL animals ask .... For service animals if a vest is on DONT touch ... the catch is the non typical service dogs ... ie comfort that often I am asked to touch the dog as it aids the dog and the owner with the training... see these dogs are often used to help a person with social difficulties

I also learned a long time ago not to pet these dogs. I don't either unless owner/trainer says it is okay.