Kendall Moore is a Training Coordinator here at BARK. She also leads our Accessibility Employee Resource Group and gave us some insight on National Service Dog Month!
Tell us about your dog(s)!
I have 5 dogs! Gracibelle (cavalier king charles spaniel), LunaMoon (texas heeler), Maggie Fox (cattle dog mix), Finnegan Blaze (english setter), and Gidget Jane (cavapoo)
Tell us what excites you about the ERG you are a part of at BARK:
I love that the Accessibility ERG at BARK gives us the opportunity to learn and get involved with the community. It’s always so exciting to have discussions with each other and learn about everyone’s point of view!
Tell us about the importance of this month to you.
September is National Service Dog Month! I have had two Service Dogs and currently have a Service Dog in Training. Having representation and open discussion about the important work that Service Dogs do makes it easier for for handlers to go about their day without interruption. Service Dogs are there to enable their handlers to do things that people without disabilities can do without needing assistance.
Tell us some ways you feel your ERG made a change, whether it was in the company or in the community.
This month, we are focusing on education around Service Dogs! We have talked about Public Access rights, the difference between ESAs, Therapy Dogs, and Service Dogs, and what kinds of dogs can be Service Dogs!
What are some ways others can get involved in celebrating and supporting this month?
When you see a Service Dog in public, remember they are working! To be respectful to the work that they do for their handler, please do not talk to them, take photos of them, don’t pet them without permission, or interrupt them from what they are doing. If your kids see a Service Dog in public, take the opportunity to explain to them what that means — helping kids understand the concept, makes it less likely that a child will interfere with the dogs work as well!
Kendall has also taken her time to provide the Accessibility ERG through some questions about service dogs.
Question 1: What are the ONLY questions a business can ask a customer with a service dog?
- Is that a Service Dog?
- What is your disability?
- What tasks does your Service Dog perform for you?
- Where is your Service Dog certification?
- What organization trained your Service Dog?
Answer: A business is ONLY allowed to ask TWO questions:
- Is that a Service Dog?
- What tasks does your Service Dog perform?
Question 2:
or
Any dog, no matter breed or size, can be a Service Dog.
Answer:
Any dog, no matter breed or size, can be a Service Dog! This is important to keep in mind when you see Service Dogs out in public. In the Service Dog community, we have what’s called the “Fab Four”. This is Standard Poodle, Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, and Smooth Collies (sometimes people will say German Shepherd in place of Collie). These are breeds that have the lowest “wash” rate and are generally reliable working breeds. Organizations that train Service Dogs typically breed dogs that they specialize in — For example, 4 Paws 4 Ability in Xenia, OH uses Doodles, Labs, Golden Retrievers, Standard Poodles, Newfie Retrievers, and Papillons. With Papillons being their only small breed.
Question 3:The following types of dogs have Public Access rights:
- Service Dogs
- Therapy Dogs
- Emotional Support Dogs
- Every Dog
Answer: ONLY Service Dogs have Public Access rights! As for Therapy Dogs, just like you would ask permission before taking your family pet to a new place, you should follow the same rules when going somewhere with your therapy dog. Therapy Dogs are allowed where they are given explicit permission to be there!
Question 4:
or
Service Dogs must be labeled as a Service Dog when out in public (ex — leash, collar, bandana, vest, harness, etc.)
The answer is
Service Dogs are not required to be labeled! It does make access easier when the dog is labeled, but it is not required.
