Why not a SD that is also a visiting TD?

[ILGHAUS]

I am very concerned that advice is given in this capacity by people that should not be giving this kind of advice. (Thank you ILGHAUS for pointing out that it is your opinion and not current law)

Not quite what I said but ....

[Blanketback]

I was always under the impression that a working dog should be ignored - the majority of service dogs I've seen have been guide dogs. When I've admired service dogs, talking to their owners, I've been told not to interact with their dogs. I did meet a service dog in a restaurant this summer, and the owner was encouraging people to pet the dog. In all my years, that was the only one I've ever seen who was allowed to interact with strangers.

My previous GSD was a Therapy Dog, and he was a much-loved pet. I enjoyed sharing him with others - but I'll be honest, if I actually relied on him to provide me with a 'service' (as it fits under the definition of service dog) I wouldn't be so generous. I would worry that he might somehow be corrupted and be incapable of performing his duties 100%. Not only that, I wouldn't want him gallivanting around town without me.

If I was in the position to visit with my dog, then I'd worry that I was asking too much of him. Visiting is tiring and a job in itself, with the visits being timed at 45 min. for the dog's sake.

[ILGHAUS]

Okay, one more heads up folks.

Be careful posting as there have been a couple of things said that can be read as coming close to a board violation.

[Shade]

My friend's husband is blind and has a lab for his seeing eye dog. Once the harness goes on Jubilee is all work, and he asks people to ignore her so she can focus on her job

Once the harness comes off she's a happy lab ready to be loved and play

If I had to rely on a service dog I would do the same, ask people to ignore and let them focus

[ILGHAUS]

Everyone has the freedom to their opinion on this topic including handlers of SDs, trainers of SDs, SD organizations, blog writers, Facebook page admin, etc. but they do not have the right to present that opinion as law based on/or use any part of the ADA or the Dept. of Justice Regulatory Law.

Once again as I did about a year ago, I just got off the phone with an ADA Specialist in the Disability Rights Division at the Dept. of Justice.

The Dept. of Justice has not made any Regulatory Law nor is there any statement in the ADA against a handler with a disability testing their Service Dog, having their SD registered/certified as a Therapy Dog or using their Service Dog as the canine member of their team.

This should be about the end of this discussion on the legality and as such any contrary opinions should be read as such. Those who have a different opinion may feel free to sent a letter or email to the DOJ and request that this matter be looked into for a possible change at the next Regulatory Revision on Service Dogs. Or a request can be sent to a member of Congress or the House requesting such to be added to the next update of the ADA.

[Andaka]

As the owner/trainer/operator of 4 service dogs, I have done therapy work with all of them. They know the difference between work and play, and the differnece in the ends of work asked of them. These dogs have been show dogs, oebidence dogs, agility dogs, herding dogs, and therapy dogs. Dogs are discerning enough to know the difference between work and not work.

Tag was one of the best show dogs in the country, yet he could come out of the show ring and escort me back to the hotel. He would lay on the floor of my office and bring me things that I would drop. When I broke my shoulder he layed in the living room while I slept in the recliner -- he would help me pull the sheet up to cover me, help me walk to the bathroom and get up from the toilet. Later he would let me pull myself up from a couch by pulling on his collar. All of these tasks had commands that went with them. Meanwhile, he was being shown in conformation (earn 100+ Best of Breeds), and Rally (got his RAE2) as well as visiting with school children teaching them how not to get bit by a strange dog.

Dogs even do things for people that they weren't trained to do. Dogs save people that have fallen thru the ice. Dogs lay down with children to keep them worm until help comes. Dogs are smarter then we give them credit for.

[Lauri & The Gang]

Originally Posted by SFGSSD

(The dog is not trained well enough? The Dog is not smart enough? That’s a pretty bold statement considering where this is coming from.)

If you are referring to what I posted - I stand by my statement. If a Service Dog cannot distinguish between working time and non-working time, then - in MY opinion - I say the dog is not suited/trained well enough to BE a Service Dog.

And Andaka's post is a perfect example of what I'm saying. A well trained Service Dogs DOES know the difference between work time and non-work time.

[Xeph]

Strauss accompanies me to the National Dog Show in Phiy every year. He alternates between schmoozing with the public and getting me around the expo center.

When his harness is off, he enjoys all the attention he gets, ways his tail, and kisses children. The moment his harness is on, he is all business, and he does his job.

He's not a idiot. He knows the difference.

I agree with Laurie. If a dog can't tell the difference between on duty and off, it shouldn't be working.

I've asked several times if a service dog shouldn't be interacted with by anybody other than the handler. Never got an answer.

[JakodaCD OA]

kudos to the above posts Daphne is a perfect example of her dogs knowing the difference and being able to do it all Isn't that what a german shepherd "should" be? I think so

Laurie said it better than I, but I agree

If a Service Dog cannot distinguish between working time and non-working time, then - in MY opinion - I say the dog is not suited/trained well enough to BE a Service Dog

[ILGHAUS]

Now that it has been verified that there are still no Federal laws to stand in way for anyone who wishes to test with their SD to work as a Therapy Dog team, I would also like to pass on that I have spoke via phone today to an assistant to the Director at Pet Partners formerly known as the Delta Society that their policy of allowing a PWD and their SD to test together remains.
Their website is at Pet Partners® ? Touching lives through human?animal interactions - Pet Partners


Though it is an older study and report some may find it interesting to read:

Service and Therapy Work: Can One Dog Do Both? By Debi Davis, Originally
published in Alert, National Service Dog Center®
Newsletter Vol. 10, No. 1 1999. Edited for the web and updates.

Some quotes from the article are:

"Service dogs generally interact with others only when directed to do so by their handlers."

AAA/AAT (therapy) dogs are trained to do tasks for people other than their handlers, interacting with them as directed by their handlers."

To read the above article in full please go to
http://www.petpartners.org/document.doc?id=225