The Fake Service Dog

Taters Time to Shine: The Fake Service Dog

This is 9 year old Wyatt with his Service Dog Princess.
 Princess is trained through the organization 1Boy4Change.

Service Dogs are highly trained dogs that are used to assist someone with a disability, whether it be physical or mental. Service Dogs are trained to perform tasks that their handler may not be able to do on their own or may have trouble doing such as picking items up off the ground, walking, opening doors, functioning in public, etc. The most commonly known Service Dog is the Guide Dog that helps people that are blind but there are so many other types of Service Dogs. There are Service Dogs that help people who are deaf or going deaf, Service Dogs that help people with PTSD, Anxiety, Autism, the list goes on! 

While there are these amazing and highly trained Service Dogs walking around with their handlers in public, there are also some not so amazing and highly trained "Service Dogs" doing the same thing. You will usually see a dog wearing a vest with some patches that may say "Service Dog" or "In Training" and maybe a card on their vest. Even though it is not mandatory, most Service Dogs [in Training] wear that. Just because they wear that does not mean they are an actual Service Dog [in training].

It's becoming easier and easier to make your dog a "Service Dog".. a fake Service Dog. You can buy the vest, the card, the patches, everything you need online. There are tons of websites that sell Service Dog equipment. There are also fake "organizations" online that have you pay $60 or something and your dog magically becomes a Service Dog! 

6 year old Abcde with her Service Dog, Pup-Cake

You might see a Service Dog [in training] out in public and think "Oh, that's a Service Dog" but is it? Is it really a Service Dog? Look at him/her, does he/she seam to be "in tuned" with the owner? Is it acting appropriately and not taking things off shelves or getting peoples attention? Is he/she barking at someone or something? Is he/ she jumping on people or on the counters? If you answered "yes" to these questions, that dog is most likely NOT a Service Dog. Sorry to burst your bubble but it's the truth!

If your dog is not trained to act appropriately in public like Service Dogs, it is a safety risk to the people around you. What would happen if your so called "Service Dog" were to bite someone? What would happen then? What would YOU do? That "Service Dog" of yours would probably be put down and give Service Dogs a bad rap all because you had to bring your dog with you everywhere. 

If you need a Service Dog I have provided links below that will bring you to where you can find trainers in your area and organizations that provide Service Dogs. Next time you see a Service Dog acting up in public, out of control and/or if you feel your or someone else's safety is at risk please tell an employee. If their is any questioning going on about laws and rights I have also provided a link below to where all laws and rights are! 


Business Rights (copied directly off the ADA.gov website: 

• A person with a disability cannot be asked to remove his service animal from the premises unless: (1) the dog is out of control and the handler does not take effective action to control it or (2) the dog is not housebroken. When there is a legitimate reason to ask that a service animal be removed, staff must offer the person with the disability the opportunity to obtain goods or services without the animal’s presence.

Service Dog Information and References:

To view all Service Dog Laws/ Rights go to: http://www.ada.gov/service_animals_2010.htm

In need of a trainer to train your dog to become a Service Dog? Go here to find a list of trainers in your area: http://www.petpartners.org/servicedogtrainerdirectory

Looking for an already trained Service Dog? Go here to find a list of reputable Service Dog Organizations: http://www.assistancedogsinternational.org/members/programs-search/

Follow Wyatt and Princesses journey by "liking" their Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/wyattandprincess

Follow Abcde and Pup-Cakes adventures by "liking" their Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/PupcakePitBullServiceDog