Most children enjoy petting animals they encounter while going about their day, particularly those that are friendly and calm.
But an anonymous mother on TikTok has been praised for explaining the difference between a service dog and a ‘regular’ dog, and why you should not try and pet the former.
The moment was caught in a recent TikTok video shared by Jake (@jakethes.d), an account created for a sweet yellow Lab who works as a medical and cardiac service dog. Jake’s owner was apparently in a store when it happened and started recording a small part of the conversation without showing any faces.
@jakethes.d Another amazing mother and amazing moment caught in the pet store today when a mother brought her daughter up to us to tech her sbout service dogs with jobs! 😭❤️❤️ #servicedog #serviceanimal #dog #disabled #fyp #foryou #dogsoftiktok
Got a free weekend? 3 Easy DIY Dog Treat Ideas You Can Make This Weekend!
How to make the right choice? How to Choose the Right Dog Breed To Suit Your Lifestyle
The mother can be heard off-screen saying, “service dog, do not pet,” presumably after seeing a tag or sign attached to the lab’s collar.
The child inquires, “Awww, what does the dog do?”, to which the mother responds, “I’m not sure.”
Jake’s owner replies, “He’s a medical and cardiac arrest service dog.”
Instead of merely nodding politely in agreement, the mother takes the opportunity to explain to her child what that means.
“The dog has the ability to detect when someone is having heart trouble, and can even “nudge” them to alert them to find a safe place,” the mother explains.
This simple explanation made much more sense to the child, who exclaims, “oh…ohhh!!”
“Aren’t dogs great?” the mom continues. “Which is why we can’t distract him when he’s working.”
Jake’s owner thanks the mother for explaining and they part ways, although the caption conveys just how truly thankful Jake’s owner really was for that interaction.
The caption read,” Amazing mother and amazing moment caught in the pet store today when a mother brought her daughter up to us to teach her about service dogs with jobs!”
Why You Shouldn’t Pet Service Dogs
In the comments, other people praised the mother as well, acknowledging that she managed to turn the moment into a learning opportunity excellently.
One person commented, “We should all strive to be like this mom.” Another remarked, “It’s vital to teach young kids about this, even some adults may not know it!”
You should avoid distracting service dogs when they’re working.
Great way of reusing your old clothes: 3 Creative DIY Dog Toys That You Can Make Yourself!
Find out: Why Do Some Dogs Attack?
If you look at Jake’s TikTok account, that seems to be the case.
The dog’s owner has posted other interaction videos before, which capture just some of the misconceptions that many people have about service dogs.
His owner has posted a number of videos showcasing their interactions, which demonstrate the misunderstanding that most people have about service dogs.
The Americans with Disabilities Act describes a service dog as “any dog individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability.”
The assistance provided by these canines is invaluable; they are trained to manage a wide range of medical issues, from autism to PTSD.
While they can build strong and loving relationships with their owners, their main purpose is to help their owners in their day-to-day lives and alert others when their owners are in need of urgent medical assistance.
Labradors like Jake are in high demand as service dogs due to their intelligence, friendliness, and eagerness to please.
It’s important to leave service dogs alone when they’re working.
It’s a miracle: How This Dog Managed To Survive Two Days At The Bottom Of A Dump Truck
The reason will shock you! Why Does This Pup Always Choose The Same Toy At The Pet Store?
Nonetheless, it’s important to keep in mind that when in public, one should not approach them as they have a job to do and must remain focused.
Rivi Israel, a guide dog program manager for the Guide Dog Foundation & America’s VetDogs, warned Reader’s Digest that petting, speaking to, or making eye contact with a service dog can be dangerous.
“It can distract the animal from its work, meaning it will not complete the tasks it needs to. It can also put the handler in danger,” Israel explained
“If a dog responds to a greeting from a stranger and the handler isn’t aware of what the dog is doing, it can throw the handler off balance and cause them to fall,” added CJ Betancourt, an MD and executive director of The Foundation for Service Dog Support.
How To Spot A Service Dog?
It’s easy to spot a service dog. The simplest way to identify a service dog is by its leash, harness, and/or bright vest when they’re in public. Some service dogs may even be wearing tags or have ID cards with emergency contact details.
The popularity of the TikTok video is helping to increase the awareness of the important role that service dogs have in their owners’ lives.
Hopefully, this message will reach those who need to hear it the most, so that owners and their service dogs can feel more comfortable in public.
