Where Can You Take Service Dogs, And Where Are They Not Allowed?

  • 20/10/2020

Over the years, service dogs have provided invaluable benefits to people with disabilities. These are dogs that have been specifically trained to perform a variety of tasks for the person, who then becomes known as the ‘handler’ of the service dog.

These dogs give people with certain disabilities a new lease of life and can boost life quality enormously. As such, there are very different rules when it comes to where service dogs can and cannot go compared to normal pet dogs. Because these dogs perform essential tasks on behalf of their handlers, they are allowed to go to all sorts of places where dogs would normally not be allowed.

Some Examples of Where Service Dogs Can and Cannot Go

The idea behind having a service dog is to be able to lead as normal a life as possible even with disabilities. The training these dogs go through is rigorous, and they can perfect numerous vital tasks for their handlers. This means that those with service dogs can continue to enjoy greater independence and can do everything from going shopping to dining out and enjoying entertainment with the help of their service dog.

In short, a service dog should be allowed in any area where members of the public are allowed to go, although there are some variations centred around health and safety. For instance, if you wanted to go for a meal at a restaurant, your service dog should be allowed to accompany you even if the restaurant does not allow pet dogs. However, while the service dog is allowed in the restaurant for the handler to dine, it is generally not allowed in areas such as the kitchens.

Likewise, if you were going to the hospital either for treatment or to visit someone, your service dog should be allowed in the waiting area and many of the rooms such as examination rooms or the café at the hospital. However, it will not be allowed into an operating room because of health and safety.

If you are looking to have an evening out at a pub, you can take your service dog along. Pubs, bars, and casinos must allow patrons with service dogs to bring their dog along. Some casinos however might not allow dogs inside their premises, and in that case, you’ll have to settle for a session of live casino from your home.

However, like restaurants, there are certain areas where service dogs will not be able to go such as the kitchen area. When you go shopping in supermarkets or malls, your service dog must be allowed in with you. Also, if you go to smaller shops, your service dog must be allowed.

It is worth noting that in order for service dogs to be allowed in places such as these, they do not need to be performing tasks for you at that time. However, it is important that your service dog is properly trained and displays good behaviour. If it causes any serious disruption or poses a threat to health and safety – for instance, aggressive behaviour – the business may have the right to ask you to remove the dog.

Giving Handlers More Independence

One thing is for certain – a well-trained service dog can provide people who have disabilities with a tremendous amount of support and independence. This is why it is so vital that businesses do not flout the rules when it comes to allowing service dogs onto the premises.

Of course, it is important to remember the responsibility of ensuring the dog is under control and on a leash where appropriate. As long as you do this, you should have no problem taking your dog into all sorts of venues and premises.

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