What do you think about people who bring service dogs into restaurants?

Question

I have a service dog. I am curious to know what people are thinking seeing me sitting there with a four pound dog on my lap at the table at a nice restaurant. I would like your thoughts. Questions? Just ask.

I was waiting for this question.

My four pound critter does more for me than just eat my food. He is called a psychiatric service dog. I am 50% disabled and get nervous in social situations including having panic attacks. I also have clinical depression that is resistant to meds. I have to go to Houston in a month for shock therapy. Bishop has helped me so much you don't even know. So yes, he does more for me than just eat my food. :)

Answer 1

Well, I have a very hard time resisting the urge to pet and talk to the dog. I refrain from doing so because it is actually illegal to interrupt a service dog while they are "working." I actually have a anxiety problem too, luckily controlled by medication, and my dog does a world of good to help control it too. I wish I could bring him with me into restaurants, but alas, he isn't an "official" service dog.

Answer 2

I work in a restaurant and I could never say no. A four pound dog on your lap is a little different than seeing a guide dog but by no means less important. To be honest I would wonder why the dog was allowed if I was a fellow diner, I imagine that it would bring a few stares which might make your anxiety worse. If he was wearing a working dog bib it would seem more appropriate. Good luck with the treatments, that is intense.

Answer 3

If you don't appear disabled to the eye, it's just something you need to get over. It happens. Wait until you run into a store manager who decides you aren't really disabled and tries to kick you out or interrogate you about precisely how you have a disability! It's unfortunately part of having a service dog when you don't look disabled, and is a result of a lot of non-disabled idiots trying to pass off their pets as service animals to take them into stores and restaurants. And this is why a lot of people with mental or emotional disabilities are not good candidates for service dogs- because they would not be able to cope with the constant scrutiny and inquiries. Plus, most people are just curious but don't know the social etiquette for those situations or what would be acceptable to ask you. So the staring is likely in large part only curiousity. I have a "service dog in training" to perform medical alert functions, and I don't look disabled. In my state, service dogs being trained have the same access rights as a fully trained service dog, and I am starting to gradually "proof" him in increasingly public areas. So I've seen the behavior you are seeing, even though I don't take him most places yet.

Answer 4

I've always thought it was neat to see such well-trained animals in restaurants. Once, a few years ago, a huge group (like 25) of blind people came into a restaurant in Baton Rouge (Ralph & Kakoo's) and each had their dog with them. It was incredible to see just how well the dogs helped these folks navigate a restaurant full of tables and oftentimes tight squeeze areas. It's uplifting to know that dog's really can be man's best friend!

Answer 5

I have no problem with service dogs in restaurants. It has been my experience that MOST people with service dogs keep them very healthy and clean; However, It has also been my experience that MOST service dogs are rather large dogs, not 4 pound critters. I would be interested in hearing how a 4 pound dog serves as a service animal...

Answer 6

They serve a purpose, therefore, they have a right to be there. However, what service does your little pooch do for you......taste your food??? Most service dogs are of substantial size.
Anyways,,,go to Europe, and you'll see all kinds of dogs in restaurants, and they are all not service dogs. They encourage their patrons to bring their dogs in to dine with them.