We're taught from a young age that service dogs aren't like other dogs that you can pet or play with when you encounter them on the street. They're working dogs who are highly trained to help their owners in whatever way they need. That's why we're taught to leave them alone and don't try to pet or distract them from their jobs.
What might come as a surprise though is that there is a certain time when interacting with the dog is not only acceptable, but it might actually save a life.
Don't Be Annoyed If The Dog Approaches You
This lesson was brought up after a woman shared her "Service Dog PSA" online. She had tripped and fallen while with her service dog. Her service dog was trained to watch for seizures and when she fell, the dog went off to get help.
Luckily, the woman wasn't severely injured and was able to get up on her own. When she eventually found her service dog, it was being "swatted away" by someone who seemed pretty annoyed.
Instead, Spring Into Action
The woman's Service Dog PSA went on to explain that part of a service dog's training is to get help if necessary. That means if a service dog approaches you and there's no owner on the other end of a leash, then their person might be in a life-threatening situation.
The author of the post says that if this happens, "don't get scared, don't get annoyed, follow the dog!" The dog is trained to bring you back to its owner so you can call for emergency services.
Show The Dog You're Ready To Respond
It's one thing to recognize that the dog needs your help, but it's another thing to know the proper way to respond. Professional dog trainers took to Twitter to explain that there's no "secret password" to show the dog that you're ready to help. Instead, you can say 'What?' or 'Where?' and the dog will understand that you're engaged.
Alternatively, you can stand up and maintain eye contact to show the dog you're ready to follow it.
There Could Be Many Reasons Why The Dog Could Need Your Help
It's important to remember that people need service dogs for a variety of reasons. A service dog might be trained to get help if the owner has a seizure, vomits and chokes, hits their head, or becomes unconscious for any reason.
Of course, there are also times when a service dog is trained to never leave the owners side. That means if you see someone struggling or unconscious but the dog is still with them, you should still call for help.
People Were Grateful To Find Out This New Information
Thanks to this woman's Service Dog PSA, many people on the internet appreciated the information. Some shared stories of times where the situation happened to them, while others expressed relief knowing that there was an acceptable time to interact with a service dog.
At the end of the day, respecting the boundaries of a service dog is important, but knowing when to jump into action might save a life. Thank you to all the hard-working doggos out there!
