Service Dogs: What Our Children Need to Know

Service dogs for the blind have been common for decades. Today, you see them everywhere as they assist people with a wider range of conditions, and in all settings. So, it’s important to understand and teach our children the etiquette of these encounters.

Children, who often get excited when they see a dog, especially need to be taught how to respond to one – and its handler - while it is on the job.

You’ll find dogs helping people with vision, mobility and hearing impairment, as well as conditions that may not be apparent, such as autism, seizures, posttraumatic stress disorder, food allergies, and diabetes. Yet most people still aren’t certain of the protocol for interacting with a service animal, or its handler.

Service dogs are not pets. They are specially trained for their duties, and it can cost $20,000 or more to equip one for its role. Vests indicate that they are legally allowed to accompany their handler into businesses. The vest also is a sign to the public that the handler has a disability and that the dog is on duty.

There are several things to teach your children about service animals and their handlers. Many of the rules are simply common sense and common courtesy.

• Tell your children what a service animal is and what he does. Like a cane or a wheelchair, a service dog is a medical assistive device. Help them understand that the dog is delivering a vital service to keep its handler safe or assisting with duties the handler can’t perform alone.
• If you see a dog wearing a vest, it is on duty. So, explain to your children that when they see a dog with a vest they should not disturb it while it is working.
• Seeing service animals in stores, theaters and restaurants can confuse a child. Explain to them that they are allowed by law to accompany their handler into any business.
• You should always ask before approaching or petting any dog. Don’t touch the dog or the handler without permission. It’s common courtesy for the child to address the service dog’s handler first if they want to ask questions.
• Distracting a service animal can place the handler in danger. So, the child should not make sudden moves, loud noises, or call for the dog, whistle for it, or try to feed it.
• Your children should understand that it is inappropriate to ask the handler why he or she needs the service animal.

There are many age-appropriate resources to help your children understand service dog etiquette.

Easy Science For Kids offers parents and teachers a guide to service animals, which provides fun facts, a Q&A and vocabulary specific to service dogs. You’ll also find a word search game about service animals.

Billy Bear 4 Kids has a service dog coloring page, as does KSDS Assistance Dogs, and ICAN. For teachers and homeschool parents, there are lesson plans available from AKC and The Humane Society.

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