What Every Kid Should Know About Service Dogs

By Caitlin Bootsma
Consultant to the VIRTUS^® Programs

For many kids, service dogs are going to be a novelty at first glance. “A dog in a restaurant! Mom, can I pet him?” “That dog just took her owner’s gloves off, that’s amazing!” Their appreciation of these dogs is understandable; service dogs make a positive impact on the lives of so many people who have disabilities.

Here’s a few things that kids should know for the next time they run into a service dog. Service dogs are:

• Trained to make their owner’s day-to-day life easier. Some dogs are trained to be hearing guides, others to sound an alert when their owner has a seizure, others to help a person who is blind. Their work is very important.
   
• Recognizable by vests with something like “Service Animal” printed on it. This vest alerts the public that they are working dogs and also that they are allowed in establishments that regular pets are not.
   
• Working and should not be interrupted or distracted. Remember, these dogs are “on duty” when they are with their owner, and kids should allow them to keep their attention on their work (i.e., don’t try to get them to race you, play games, etc.)
   
• Sometimes able to be petted, but kids should always ask their owner first if this is okay!

Service dogs are different than therapy dogs, who also help people in need. Therapy dogs bring comfort and joy to people in places like nursing homes, children’s shelters and hospitals. Their job is to receive and give affection to people who need it!

Find more info for kids as well as some coloring pages here. 

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