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Etiquette for Interacting with Service Animals

 

When you are with your own animal and you encounter a service animal, follow these guidelines for safe and respectful interactions. The service animal is working and should not be disturbed. 

Appropriate Interactions 

  • Let the handler and service animal pass without interacting.

Inappropriate Interactions

  • Do Not let your animal approach or interact with the service animal in any way: sniffing, socializing, playing, or approaching. 
  • Do Not block the path for a handler and service animal because of your animal.

When you encounter a service animal, follow these guidelines for the respect and safety of the handler, service animal, and yourself. The service animal is working and should not be disturbed. 

Appropriate Interactions 

  • Speak to the handler, not the service animal.
  • Understand the service animal is not a pet, so it should not be treated like one. 
  • The ADA law protects handler's from questions about their disability, but you may ask:
    1. Is this a service animal required because of a disability? 
      • This question establishes whether it is a service animal.
      • The handler does not have to answer questions about the nature of their disability.
    2. What work or tasks has the animal been trained to perform?
      • Allows someone to understand the functions of the service animal.
      • Don't assume the animal isn't working because of their behavior (laying down). 

Inappropriate Interactions

  • Do Not pet or touch a service animal.
  • Do Not attempt to get the attention or call the service animal.
  • Do Not attempt to interact or distract the service animal in any way. 
  • Do Not treat the service animal like a pet. 
  • Do Not ask questions beyond the two allowed, the handler does not have to answer them if they do not want to. 

Intentional Misrepresentation of a Service Animal

Colorado has criminalized the intentional misrepresentation of a service animal. HB16-1308

Do Not put a service animal vest on an untrained service animal as this has legal and moral implications while also hurting the public's view and understanding of service animals.