I can't stress this enough.

[Lady Freedom Returns]

If you see any size of dog in a service jacket trying to get you to follow them, DO IT!

Due to size restrictions on dogs in public housing and other places small dogs are being used for many to help them, Like my Sunny.

Using myself as an example. If I am out and about and get too hot or cold I can't use my hands to work my phone to call for help. Sunny would and is trained to get help.

So please don't think small dogs are not service dogs pretending to be service dogs. Someones life could count on you to understand that no matter the size, someone needs help.

[SheltieLover]

1. Kicking for visibility

[Lady Freedom Returns]

2. Thank you.

[SheltieLover]

3. Yw!

Humans need to learn to be more receptive to and respectful of other species, canines especially!

[Conjuay]

4. I work at

a large entertainment complex where everyone wears name tags. One day I realized one of the service dogs I see regularly has a company issued name tag. It always makes me smile that they thought so much of this young woman and her guide dog that they made the dog an honorary team member.

[soldierant]

19. You just made me smile too.

[hlthe2b]

5. Dogs are far more intelligent than a signficant percentage of people realize. Any dog that tries

to get your attention (frantically) and to get you to follow them may well be seeking your help. So, yes, any breed or size, and certainly if they are wearing a service vest. In Colorado people not infrequently pass out or have other serious health events outdoors during cold or snow periods. We have many incidents where the dog accompanying them has sought help. If they are smart enough to come to us for help, the least we can do is be smart enough to do so.

[Lady Freedom Returns]

6. Precisely!

[soldierant]

20. AMEN!

My generation gre up with "Lassie." As many jokes as there are about repetetive plots on that show, it did make us expect a frantic dog wanting you to follow them to know something they didn't.

[DemocraticPatriot]

25. Dogs are far more intelligent than a signficant percentage of people

[Lady Freedom Returns]

7. Just kicking it back up.

[Hekate]

8. Kick! and thanks for the heads-up!

[MissMillie]

9. It never occurred to me that size was a disqualifier for a service dog

I always just figured that if there was a vest, it was a service dog.

[Lady Freedom Returns]

15. There are people out there that think only German Shepherds can be one.

And that's not true.

[MissMillie]

18. Oh, I've seen lots of different breeds of dogs with the vest

German Shepherds for sure, but Golden Retrievers too. And even some dogs that I determined for myself to be "mutts" or mixed breeds.

I always figured it was about the training.

[Beartracks]

10. Why would anyone think a small dog with a service vest is just "pretending"??

I mean, I guess I can see people just going, "Awww..." and walking on. But to think it's cosplaying?? If I've got a dog in uniform trying to get my attention, I'd certainly follow it -- ESPECIALLY after your very helpful post. So, thank you!

============

[Lady Freedom Returns]

16. There are people that have put service vests on dogs so they can take them places.

It has caused many issues.

[soldierant]

21. Anything that helps people, especially the disabled

or less abled, will be taken unfair advantage of by some people

[Beartracks]

22. Aaah, okay. Yeah, I can see people doing that.

Idjits.

===========

[TNNurse]

33. Yes, there is fraud.

It is so disrespectful to those who need trained dogs.

[RainCaster]

11. I've known several people with small svc dogs

Mostly Aussies, I always took them seriously.

[Native]

12. K&R

[Jade Fox]

13. Many fake Service Dogs....

Thousands of people now claim their pets are Service Dogs in order to get them into places -grocery stores, restaurants- where pets are not allowed. Fake service dog vests are readily available.

People with true service dogs should be issued some sort of documentation. Laws need to be changed.

[Lady Freedom Returns]

17. It's a very serious problem.

Take for instance emotional support dogs.

They are real service dogs that alert the person that they are at their limit and need to get to a quiet place before they have a panic attack.

Pretending your dog is a emotional support dog is so wrong. Those dogs help to prevent a mental health breakdown.

[sammythecat]

24. Just awful that people actually do this

Despicable.

[wnylib]

28. Self-centered people who don't

think or care about the needs of others.

[wendyb-NC]

14. Thank you, for that extremely important information

I learned something about Service Dogs, that could save a life. Thank you again, Lady Freedom.

[TigressDem]

23. YOU got it!!

Thanks for the head's up.

My Aunt's dog is small and not exactly a service dog, but she knew when things were not right and when we did a wellness check, then the paramedics came she gave us all kinds of love. She knew we were there to help.

[mrsadm]

26. Thank you, I did not know this.

[AntivaxHunters]

27. "Sunny" :)

That's the name of my doggo too!

[Lady Freedom Returns]

40. His full name is Sunny Honey Bunny.

But he comes to Sunny.

[wnylib]

29. Having had a couple dogs in my lifetime

who were very alert to trouble and helpful when needed - without prior training or command - I always "listen to" dogs that alert people to a problem. They know what they are doing when they seek help or act on their own to give help.

[Raine]

30. Good to know ...Thanks for informing us. 🙂👍 nt

[Meowmee]

31. That is great small dogs can be service dogs

Your Sunny sounds great. 😀 I was just reading the ADA site and it says the dog does not have to wear a jacket or be certified which I didn’t realize. I’m wondering how you’re supposed to tell if they are really a service animal in that case, very odd.

I have been thinking about in the future getting a service dog but I would not want to get a large dog with my cats. Plus it is very expensive to have them trained etc.

If a dog came up to me and asked for help I would try to help. 😀

[Scottie Mom]

32. Several of my Scotties have been trained as hearing alert dogs. This is a REAL service dog.

While usually small in size, they are sturdy and relentless when on duty. Amazing to see the change in posture and the look in the dog's eye when that jacket goes on.

I wish to add: A hearing alert dog is as necessary to a person who is hearing impaired as is, for example, a service dog for the sight impaired. I cannot hear things behind me...emergency sirens, a car approaching when I am walking in a parking lot, a person yelling, for example, "watch out." My hearing alert dog "hears" this for me. At night, I cannot hear smoke alarms or someone yelling that there a fire and I need to get out. If I have fallen and don't have my cell phone, the dog will find and bring it to me so I can contact 911. If the cell is ringing and I am not responding I get a doggie alert, if there someone is at the door, my dog gets me and circles at the door. Even in a store and my back is turned, if a clerk is talking to me, my dog will let me know if someone is speaking to me. As to emergency sirens, my Abbie rides shotgun -- seat behind and attached to the driver's seat -- right by me and since I have some hearing left, if there is a siren, she is right in my ear both physically and with sound. Same for a car horn honking, just a different nudge...not as "in my face" as with a siren.

She is small, but mighty!!!! And she is a blessing.

[niyad]

35. A special hug for your precious Abbie.

[Scottie Mom]

36. Abbie says, "Woof."

That is her way of saying "Thank you!"

[niyad]

37. She is beautiful!

[niyad]

34. Kicking for visibility. You have stated an excellent point that could save

someone's life.

[SoBlueInFL]

38. Understood. I have seen a service chihuahua and was stunned. She was r/o

brilliantly trained.

[Lady Freedom Returns]

41. Sunny's practically a nurse maid.

Luckily he is happy to have the night off when a certain gentleman call comes to call.

[BobTheSubgenius]

39. A dog-walking acquaintancefriend had a seixure response dog.

If Robert had a seizure when they were away from home, and the pad she pressed to call 911, Naveed would sit or stand near him and bark until someone came to help. My Cairn was just CRAZY about her.