Service

Dogs
By: Skylar Sowiecki
 Why Faking
a Service Dog
is Dangerous

Service dogs are dogs who assist their handler when they
need help. However, this also means bringing them into stores.
Some people believe that they can buy their dogs a service dog
vest and bring their untrained dogs into a store. Many people who
do this do not realize how dangerous it is for those who actually
need service dogs. When a person fakes a service dog the dog
could slip out of it’s vest and jump onto a real service dog. If a
real service dog gets put into a dangerous situation the handler
could easily get stressed. Another reason why faking a service
dog is dangerous is because a real service dog can easily get hurt
if a fake service were to be aggressive and lunge at the real
service dog.
 Service dogs have been used to help people since 1931,
these dogs help their handlers in many ways. Here are some
of the most common types of service dogs.
Severe Allergy Alert Dogs (AADs)
A AAD is trained to alert it’s handler to life threatening
things that the handler is allergic to that may be in the
area. These dogs tend to carry emergency information and
medical equipment.
Autism Assistance Dogs
A Autism Assistance Dog is trained to calm or ground it’s
handler. These dogs may also help in teaching a child life
skills such as maintaining boundaries.
Brace/Mobility Support Dogs ( BMSD )
These dogs are trained to help brace or counterbalancing
its handler. They often retrieve things, open and close
doors along with helping their handler with daily things.
BMSD’s are usually fitted with a vest that has a handle so
their handler can hold onto them.
Diabetic Alert Dogs ( DADs)
Types of DADs are trained to alert their handlers to high or low
blood sugar levels, these dogs are even trained to dial 911
on a special k-9 alert dog phone if their handler does not

Service respond immediately.

Hearing Dogs
Hearing dogs are trained to alert to their deaf handler.

Dogs The dogs alert their owners to alarms, doorbells, phones,

knocking and their name being called.
Medical Alert Dogs (MADs)
MADs alert their owners to changes in blood pressure or
hormone levels or another measurable body symptom.
Medical Assistance Dogs
These dogs help their handler deal with medical disabilities,
they are trained specifically to help their owners.
Psychiatric Service Dog
Psychiatric Service Dogs help their owners with psychiatric
disabilities such as anxiety, depression or PTSD. They are
trained differently depending on their owners disability.
Seizure Response Dogs
Seizure Response Dogs are trained to respond to their
handlers seizures, whether it be getting medication, doing
deep pressure therapy or getting another persons help.
Visual Assistance Dogs
Visual Assistance Dogs guide their handlers that may be
blind. Most Visual Assistance Dogs tend to be Labs, German
Shepherds and Goldens. However, any large sturdy dog
could be a Visual Assistance Dog.
Wheelchair Assistance Dogs
These dogs are used to pick up dropped items for their
handler that is in a wheelchair. They even are trained to
open doors and retrieve things for their owners.
Interview with - @thesuperspaniel

q. How does it make you feel when people pet your service dog in training without
asking?

a.When people pet Bella it makes me upset because that shows that they are
uneducated. Petting a service dog is like petting a cane, if u pet it or make it fall
than the handler could be in great danger. Service dogs are very important to a
mentally or physically ill person’s life. It keeps them alive and lets them live their
life somewhat normally :)

Short Interview with @the.service.poodle

q .How do you feel when people pet your service dog in training?
a. Angry and disrespected.

Short interview with @thesuperspaniel

Q. How do you feel when people bring their untrained fake service dogs into stores?
a. I feel very annoyed and want to educate them.

Short interview with @the.service.poodle

Q. How do you feel when people bring a untrained dog into a store?
a. Very annoyed and angry
 Why Faking a Service Dog is
Becoming a Problem

People have always wanted to bring their dogs to the store, but some dogs don’t
always like to meet other dogs. Service dogs are trained to mostly ignore other
dogs as they are considered a distraction. People fake service dogs all the time as
they think it doesn't affect others. When people fake service dogs it affects the
reputation of real service dogs, service dogs are not supposed to pull on their leash
unless their handler needs guidance, fake service dogs tend to lunge and pull on
their leash to get the reward they want. When a handler is viewing items a service
dog should sit still and wait for their handler. Service dogs should also be trained
to be quiet and not bark unless their handler is in need of help.

Photo above is a photo of a service dog sitting with its owner.

Top 3 Things Service Dog Handlers Want You
to Know
Service dog handlers need their dogs for multiple things.
Many handlers don’t like when people do certain things to their
dogs as they can get distracted and not want to work.
First, when people make comments about how the dog
appears to not be working. Service dogs are always working even
if they dont look like they are.
Second, petting a service dog when they are working is very
rude and at times deadly for the handler. If a service dog is busy
doing a task and you pet it, it could get very distracted and end up
failing at performing the task.
Three, talking to the dog as if it were a human or saying you
wish your dog could go everywhere with you. More than likely a
service dog handler does not want to bring their dogs with them,
they are forced to.
Types of service dog
vest

Service dog vest come in many shapes

and sizes, some vest cover the dogs
shoulders while others cover the dog's
entire back. Vest that cover the dog's
entire back tend to be more pricey too.
Many people buy their dogs vest from
Amazon, others get theirs from small
shops on Etsy, Instagram, Facebook and
Twitter. Buying vest from shops off of
Instagram and the other small shops
tend to take longer to arrive in the mail.
The good part about getting vests from
small shops is that you can get them
customized. Some vest tend to be
cheaper than others depending on their
design and how many velcro patches they
have. Velcro patches are needed on
almost all service dog vest, they hold
bags/patches in place, Bags on a service
dog vest can be important depending on
what the dog is carrying. Some service
dogs are required to carry their owners
pills, epi pens and more.
Should Service Dogs be Required
to Wear Leashes at all Times?

Service dogs have been required to wear leashes at all times unless
the are performing a task where the leash may get into the way. Leashes
tend to cause many difficulties for most handlers, they get tangled up on
almost anything. So recently I had a poll asking the question. “Should
Service Dogs Be Required To Wear Leashes At All Times?’’ I gave the
options of “yes” “no” and “depends on the task” I received 101 responses.
13.9% of people believe service dogs should be kept on a leash at all
times. 20.8% of people believe that service dogs should not be leashed.
Finally, 65.3% of people think that it depends on the dogs task if they
should be on leashes or not.
 Testing
Puppies
When planning on
training a puppy to be
a service dog it is
important to put the
puppy through multiple
test. Some of the
most important test
to put a puppy through
include loud noise test,
and test to see how
high the dog’s
motivation is.
 Difference Between Service Dogs,
ESAs and Therapy Dogs

Many people believe that their Emotional Support Animals are

able to join them while shopping. However people do not realize
that ESAs are actually not aloud in non pet friendly areas.Therapy
dogs tend to many different patience in their career of being a
therapy dog. Therapy dogs are trained to sit with a patient and
make them happier. Service dogs are trained to assist their
handlers with daily life. Service dogs can be trained to do task
such as opening a door and retrieving items that fell.

A service dog in training standing proudly in

its vest.
 Credits
Dog on cover and page 1- Gus, @the.service.poodle
Dog on page 1, 2 and 5- Bella @thesuperspaniel
Dog on page 9 - @oggingersnapy

https://usa-service-animal-registration.myshopify.com. “Service Dog Vest W/ Handle Deluxe Registration

Package $250 Value.” Accessed May 23, 2019.
https://www.aliexpress.com. “High Quality Tactical Dog Vest Harnesses Water Resistant Nylon 1000d
Military Harness for Medium Large Dogs Size m l Xl.” Accessed May 23, 2019.
Grace, Kea. “Learn About the Different Types of Service Dogs.” https://www.anythingpawsable.com.
Accessed May 23, 2019.