Thanks to service dogs, people with certain conditions or disabilities can lead a more normal life. And that’s fantastic.
However, it is important to remember that service dogs are not there because they are cute, but because they have a vital task.
In a video from the United States, a mother and her child wanted to pet a service dog. But the owner said “no.”
As a parent, it is necessary to teach your children that you can’t have everything in life. But this mother seemed not to care.
Service dog was working
The mother was at a shopping mall with her daughter when they noticed a woman with a dog. That dog wasn’t just out with its owner, but was a service dog assisting its owner. ‘Working,’ you could say.
This is what the Swedish Federation for Service Dogs writes on their website about the task of such dogs:
“Service dogs must be able to pick up objects and seek help. The dogs are trained according to the needs of their owner. For example, helping to go to the store, pressing a button to cross the zebra crossing, carrying the wheelchair forward, picking up lost objects, opening and closing doors, turning on lights, finding cigarettes, answering the phone or seeking help when the owner is in need.”
Refused to accept ‘no’
The fact that this service dog was not to be disturbed fell on deaf ears of the mother. The owner of the dog, Megan Stoff, politely but firmly said that the little girl couldn’t pet the dog.
But the mother ignored this and disregarded the call of the woman in need of assistance.
The mother and her daughter continued on, but later they would meet again. At the exit, Megan encountered the mother and daughter again, and they seemed angry.
The mother explained to Megan that she didn’t think it was right that her daughter couldn’t pet the dog. She also expressed her dissatisfaction with the fact that there was no sign around the dog stating that the dog couldn’t be petted.
But upon closer inspection, she saw that it was written 4 times that the dog couldn’t be petted.
She got angry at the owner
Megan replied that she didn’t need to give permission just because her daughter wanted to pet the dog. This made the mother furious, and she went to a security guard and told them what had happened.
What had happened? Well, Megan had politely said that the dog couldn’t be petted, and the mother refused to accept this.
The security guard didn’t know what to say, but fortunately, Megan received support from other customers in the store.
“Safety of owner may be compromised”
Who was right? Everyone is entitled to an opinion, but in Sweden, for example, it is very clear how service dogs should be treated.
“Never disturb a service dog! If the dog loses its concentration, the safety of the owner may be compromised,” reads on the website.
Service dogs do get attention and love when they are not working, but it is important to remember that it can mean the difference between life and death while they are on duty.
Right or wrong, what do you think?
Many people like the mother and daughter in this article may not agree with these rules and will continue trying to pet the dogs.
Hopefully, the mother learned her lesson that day.
Do you think Megan is right, or the mother?
Leave your opinion in the comments below the article, and SHARE this post!
https://youtu.be/9m-nXj_szQo
