New to Service Dogs?

Questions, concerns, and tips all below!
On this page we’re going to go over some common questions and offer clarity for first timers, if you have additional questions feel free to review our page under Training Log for helpful titles.

Employers
Most important thing, if you’re unsure, ask. Someone with a service animal is most likely going to want to go over it with you anyway. Set up a meeting to discuss things if you’re unsure of how you can help, as long as you are in-the-know it’ll help others be that way too.
Can I Ask that? One of the most common questions for employers is what can we ask for as proof? Don’t panic, we can explain that.			What you can ask: Do you have an updated Rabies, Leptospirosis, Bordetella, and Flea and Tick shots, & for documentation to verify this.
			What you can not ask: According to the ADA employers are allowed to ask 2 questions: ·         Is that a service animal? ·         What task can they preform? (and no you can not ask them to preform it) You can not ask for documentation of training, doctors notes, or certificates. If the employee would like to provide them, they can do so at their own discretion.
Having a service dog can be a handful on it’s own, backing up the individual is the most helpful thing you can do. Talk to staff, ask them not to ask a million questions, and to simply ignore the dog, they are there to work just as much as your employee, they are not to be a distraction, or cause disturbances.	How to help? With the dog? = Don’t With Employees = Do
For Day – To – Day If you’ve never had a service animal at your place of employment here’s some tips to get ready: ·         Do you have a pet waste station? ·         Do you have handicap access doors? ·         Are there breaks allowed? ·         If it’s a desk job, do you have a desk large enough to accommodate, where the dog can be under while the employee is working?

Co-Workers
Most important thing, they are not a pet. Someone with a service animal is someone who needs a trained service animal to help them day to day, they are not just a pet to bring with them.

Proper Etiquette & Manners

“I Want One”		Being a handler, I personally along with countless others, here this a lot. If you have a service animal, this is #1 Insult. This is because something in our life is hindered without this animal, it is not just a pet.
		Some people need them to open doors, or they’re blind, or have PTSD. So saying “I want one” don’t be surprised if the handler says “I’ll trade you for the disability”
NO! When they are with their handler, they are working. Imagine doing your job, at a desk, in the middle of a construction site. Having people who you and the dog do no know, rushing up to you, will not only frighten both handler and dog, but it’s already hard enough to focus as it is.		Can I Pet them?
Service Animal = I’m at work, please let me focus Let the dog learn and execute their job without interfering, this will make life easier all around.
Top Insult #2 Why not just ask  these questions while you’re at it: “What’s your results from  your annual exam?” “Are you pregnant?” “Do you have mental problems?”				“Why do you  need one?”
This is none of your business, not everyone wants to share that they have PTSD, or seizures, partial blindness, or many other disabilities that hinder day to day. Not every disability is visible. So please respect the privacy of the individual if they are not willing to share such personal and private information.
	Per the ADA these are not reasons to deny a service dog access. I personally ask my manager if anyone in the area of my desk or workplace has a severe allergy or fear of dogs, since my service dog is a 120lb German Shepherd, I know he can be intimidating.