1. Always ask permission first and offer a smile to my owner!
Service Dogs On the Job!
Got a vest? Do not pet!
Always ask permission first and offer a smile to my owner!

2. Pet or Service Dog? How can you tell if a dog is a service dog?
What is the difference between dogs that are pets and service dogs?
Service dogs are trained to help people with special needs.
Do any of your dogs wear vests?
Service dogs have extensive training for many months to earn the right to wear a vest.

3. Years of Training – With Handlers
Training takes years of dedication. The dogs are selected for special qualities depending on what job they will do.
Training and practice, first with a dog trainer, then with the person the dog will be helping, are very important.
Some dogs can smell when people might need help!
diabetics
Some can sense changes in their masters’ behaviors
seizures
stress or anxiety

4. They Must Pass a Public Access Test
Service dogs have to pass tests to be able to wear a vest.
Only the smartest, most loyal dogs are given the chance.
Often they are rescue dogs because they are older and more calm.
Do any of you know what a rescue dog is?
People who have learned all about training animals work with them for a long time.
When they finish training and pass the test, they start a brand new life helping people!

5. Where can service dogs go?
Grocery stores
Movie Theaters
Restaurants
Churches
Parks
Hospitals
Anywhere!

6. Training Continues at Home With the Owner
Service dogs never stop learning. They work with their owners every day to make sure they stay alert and ready!
Don’t worry—life isn’t ALL work for service dogs. When they take off the vest, they PLAY like other dogs!

7. Different Types of Service Dogs
This special dog helps watch for people who might need help in the water.
This type of dog barks for help and can swim pulling a floatation device to help a person in trouble.

8. Different Types of Service Dogs
This medical detection dog can tell when her owner needs special medicine.
Medical dogs have to be very alert, stay focused and have a great sense of smell.
What part of our body do we smell with?
Does a dog’s nose look like yours?
It not only looks different, it can smell thousands of times better than a human being can!
Assistance dogs need to be gentle, loving and smart so they can do lots of different things.
Some help with laundry, opening doors, picking up dropped objects, retrieving telephones and remotes, keeping their owners safe…

9. Different Types of Service Dogs
What characteristics help this dog to be a good service dog?
Sense of smell – Can find things that are dangerous
Police & fire dogs are aggressive. Some are trained to stop bad people.
Police & fire dogs are smart. They obey commands really well.
Police & fire dogs are loyal. They will stay with their handlers no matter what happens
Some specially trained fire dogs can smell what started a fire (arson training).
Some police dogs track lost people.

10. Different Types of Service Dogs
Some people in wheelchairs need the help of service dogs.
Some dogs can help pull the chair when the person gets tired.
A dog can go get help if the person needs it.
A dog can pick up things the person drops.
A dog can help carry things inside pockets of its vest.

11. Different Types of Service Dogs
Some service dogs need to be big so they can help people up.
Would a little dog be able to help your teacher stand up if she was hurt?
These type of dogs wear special leather handles that make it easy to grab and pull.
(A little like a horse wears a saddle!)

12. Different Types of Service Dogs
Some service dogs just have to have a great sense of smell!
Even tiny dog noses are good at it.
(Story of our own Yorkies -- Niki and Alex. Niki always had a special bark when Alex had a seizure!)

13. What Does it Take to Become a Service Dog?
What characteristics help this dog to be a good service dog?
Calm and steady. A steady dog is one that is not easily scared or afraid of things.
A dog has to be healthy to begin training.
Focus – Cannot be easily distracted when working.
Ability to do what each person needs.
Some dogs need to be able to pick up coins, cell phones, TV remotes, etc. but others just need to help calm their owners.

14. What Does it Take to Become a Service Dog?
While service dogs can do many things for their owners, they all share one thing: LOVE

15. Service Dog Vests
Not all vests look the same! No matter what the vest looks like, always ask permission before petting and offer a smile!

16. Therapy Dog Vests
Therapy dogs are great for petting! Even so, always ask permission first!

17. Answer one of these for each dog:
To Pet or Not to Pet?
Answer one of these for each dog:
Ask permission first! or
Service dog—do not pet!

18. Can You Pet This Dog?
Service dog—do not pet!

19. Can You Pet This Dog?
Even though this is a therapy dog, it’s always best to ask permission first!

20. Can You Pet These Dogs?
Ask permission first!

21. Can You Pet These Dogs?
Service dogs—do not pet!

22. Can You Pet These Dogs?
Service dogs—do not pet!

23. Can You Pet This Dog?
Ask permission first!

24. How should you act when you see a person with a service dog?
Offer the person a friendly smile!
Even if you know the dog’s name, don’t say it!
Never come up behind any dog or try to surprise it. Even trained dogs can be startled.
Never try to feed a service dog.
When a dog is working and hears its name, it can be distracted.
Imagine trying to pay attention to your teacher when everyone passing by keeps saying your name!

25. Boys and girls with service dogs are just like you!
They want to:
Make friends
Learn at school
Play
Be happy
Boys and girls with service dogs want to make friends and play and be happy—just like you!
The very best way to act around a service dog is to pretend it isn’t there as you smile and act friendly to its owner. This is hard at first, but you can do it if you try!
Please help others understand the “Got a vest? Do not pet!” rule by telling your friends and family members!

26. Service Handler Commands Grooming Special Needs
Important Words
Service Handler Commands Grooming Special Needs
Service — A job where a person or an animal helps others.
Handler — The grown-up who makes sure the dog is always working right.
Commands — Specific things the handler says so that the dog knows what to do. Examples: Heel, Come, Sit and Stay. They should be clear and consistent.
Grooming — Brushing and washing a pet to be sure it is clean and stays healthy.
Special needs — Every person has special qualities. Some people can sing, some can jump really high, and some people need extra help moving from place to place or learning how to do things. Some differences are short-term (like a broken leg), but some differences may last for a lifetime (like being blind).

27. Help Spread the Word!
Tell your parents and friends how to act around service dogs!
Set a great example by acting the right way whenever a service dog is nearby. Always offer a friendly smile!