Respect The Vest
Please Don’t Pet Me - I’m Working!
Service Dogs are adorable and it’s always fun to see them in public… but why can’t you interact with them?
Although not required, Mutts With A Mission Service Dogs will be wearing a vest identifying them as a Service Dog or Service Dog in Training. They will also have a patch that says “do not pet”. It is important that you respect their vest and do not interact with them.
Service Dogs are medical equipment. They have been trained to perform tasks that mitigate their handler’s documented disability. These tasks can range from diabetic alerts, seizure alerts, heart rate alerts, PTSD alerts & responses, mobility work such as bracing or providing counter balance, and more. All of these are important jobs, and the dogs need to be focused!
When our Service Dogs are wearing their vest, they’re on duty and need to be focused on their handler.
When people try to interact with a working Service Dog, they are distracting them from performing their job - and in some cases this is the difference between life and death for their partner. If you’re talking to the Service Dog, he might miss an alert, which will put his handler at risk.
Their job is so important, that it is a federal offense to interfere with a Service Dog. This means any kind of interaction with the dog (without express permission) is not only rude, it’s illegal.
Do not pet a Service Dog!
Do not talk to a Service Dog!
Do not give a Service Dog any commands!
Do not whistle, clap, baby talk, or cause other distractions.
Do not take photos!
The only exception to these rules is if a Service Dog runs up to you without their handler.
This means that their handler is experiencing a medical emergency, and the Service Dog has been trained to go get help! If this happens to you, calmly follow the dog back to their handler and call 9-1-1.