Pros and Cons ofWearing a Vest/Harness
While you and your dog are in public, you are likely to be approached by passerby, who may want to pet your paw friend and express their joy at his/her loving appearance. Even when well-intentioned, these actions may distract your dog and he/she may miss an oncoming episode of anxiety, panic attack, loss of balance…etc. Although service dogs go through individual training to learn various tasks in order to assist their owner, including focus commands and ignoring distractions, unexpected situations may occur. Hence, you may want to be sure that you can rely on your paw friend at all times. Once passerby recognize your dog as a working dog, due to the vest or the harness he/she wears, they are less likely to initiate a contact. Passerby should be considerate when approaching a working dog and behave respectfully. Also, service dog vests/harnesses may be helpful when entering a public premise or flying on an airplane. Employees are more likely to be well-disposed to your dog and not call its legitimacy into question, when he/she wears service dog equipment. Of course, service dogs must behave properly while in public, otherwise they may be denied access. Service dogs who wear a vest/harness send a direct message to passerby that they are obedient, socialized and there is no need for them to be afraid.
Although the clear identification of a dog as a service dog may help you avoid unwanted interactions and contribute to the dog’s representation before employees, it may draw attention to you. Inconsiderate passerby may want to ask you questions about your disability and the tasks your dog has been trained to perform. Of course, you have the right to not answer these questions and explain in a friendly manner that your dog is currently working and should not be interrupted. There are also different types of vests/harnesses based on the type of assistance and tasks that he/she performs, i.e. therapy dogs (who are not considered service dogs) may be seen wearing vests with the logo of the organization/facility they work for, guide dogs are likely to wear a vest with “Guide Dog” writing…etc.
However, when you enter a public premise, employees are allowed to ask you two questions, whether your service dog wears a vest or not:
1. Is this a service dog due to a disability;
2. What tasks he/she has been trained to perform.
If you think that wearing a vest or a harness will be helpful for you while in public, you may want to know more about the gear types available on the market and how to choose the most suitable one for your dog.
Is Wearing a VestMandatory for Service Dogs?
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) does not require service dogs to wear a vest, a harness, or any training gear for identification. “The ADA does not require service animals to wear a vest, ID tag, or specific harness.” For more information about the ADA regulations, you can click here. If you are a non-US citizen, you may need to check the regulations in your country in regard to service dog identification accessories while in public.
However, since ADA allows handlers to not put vests/harnesses/ID tags on their service dogs, you may wonder why wearing of any identification gear is recommended by many trainers.
The Service Dog is a type of assistance animal that is trained to do specific tasks for the disabled individual. This can include opening doors, retrieving items, responding to an emergency situation, and guiding the person through busy crowds or traffic.
Receive your identification card, certificate, and/or vest. Practice informing others that your animal is a service dog, not a pet. If your service dog is not used to wearing a vest, have them wear it around the house or at the park so they become more comfortable. Training Your Dog to Perform a Task to Aid With Your Disability
In this post, we will explore the tasks and training of your Service Dog, as well as the registration process. Below is a summary of how to register your Service Dog – Step 1 – Temperament Check
Part of your canine’s training will be taking him or her out in public. Your dog will have to get used to busy places with lots of distractions, without losing focus. The following area and tasks can be practiced with your Service Dog outside of the home.Public Park: this is a good place to practice any number of tasks such as retrieving dropped items, bark for help command (bring someone with you as to not cause an alarm) help walk short distances by providing balance or help handler in a wheelchair up a slight incline.Restaurant/Cafe – Guiding: a restaurant is a good place to practice impulse control and get your dog used to loud noises and enticing smells. This is for advanced service animals.Shopping Mall – Navigating Crowds: a shopping mall is a good place to practice having your dog in a crowded place with lots of people walking around. Choose a time when the mall is not too busy to practice with your dog.Grocery Store – Paying for Items: some checkout stands can have high counters, your dog will have to practice paying for items if you are out of reach.Public Restroom – Closing the Door: if you are unable to close a public bathroom door, your dog will need to be able to do so. When the restroom door opens inward, your Service Dog will have to pull the leash tied to the doorknob. If the door opens outward, your canine helper will have to deliver the end of the leash to you.Registering Your Service Dog
Although not legally required, you may want to have a letter from your doctor stating your disability and also a health certificate from your canine’s veterinarian stating he/she is in good health. With this documentation, you can then send it away to the appropriate licensing body.