Bi"DO NOT PET" is what it says in all capital, bold letters on Cleo's vest. To be frank, I am upset with the people who do not read the sign. However, I realize that people just don't understand why they are not allowed to pet her. I would like to enlighten everybody and answer any and all questions. If by the end of this post you still have questions, feel free to ask in the comments.
My partnership is a new one, yet I always knew the key rule: NO PETTING OR DISTRACTING IN ANY WAY. Once I received Cleo I finally realized how often the key rule is not followed. You are seeing a sweet and pretty dog that you just want to love on, but you can't. You can't pet her because although she is a dog, her primary focus is always on helping me. The fact that she is a dog means that you also can also distract her by petting with your voice. You know, that high pitched, cutesy voice that is saved for the sweetest animals in the world; that is as distracting as petting.
All service dog organizations are different, but CPL does not allow anyone but to pet, speak, or make eye contact with the dog, besides the handler, for the first six months of a partnership. The reasoning behind this is so the dog knows all the ins and outs of their partner. Our dogs can open doors , help take off jackets and other clothing, turn lights on/off, retrieve phones in an emergency situation, and so much more. Our dogs can also alert to oxygen levels, diabetes, cardiac conditions, seizures, and so many other health conditions. By distracting Cleo or any other service dog, you could possibly be distr acting them from catching a medical episode or from an important task.m some of the dogs are trained to help people with balance issues. When the dog is on a stand/stay they could be dangerous for the person leaning on the dog for support.
So, please read the sign.
All service dog organizations are different, but CPL does not allow anyone but to pet, speak, or make eye contact with the dog, besides the handler, for the first six months of a partnership. The reasoning behind this is so the dog knows all the ins and outs of their partner. Our dogs can open doors , help take off jackets and other clothing, turn lights on/off, retrieve phones in an emergency situation, and so much more. Our dogs can also alert to oxygen levels, diabetes, cardiac conditions, seizures, and so many other health conditions. By distracting Cleo or any other service dog, you could possibly be distr acting them from catching a medical episode or from an important task.m some of the dogs are trained to help people with balance issues. When the dog is on a stand/stay they could be dangerous for the person leaning on the dog for support.
So, please read the sign.
