Therapy Dog Thursday - Australian Support Dogs

A question often posed to the team at Australian Support Dogs is:
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How should an assistance dog be treated or approached in public? 🦮

​We’ve all seen working dogs out and about, and it’s undeniable – they’re absolutely adorable! It’s hard not to want to rush over and shower them with love and attention. But it’s important to remember: they’re working and have a very important job to do.
When an assistance dog is out in public and wearing their vest, they are in work mode. This may mean they’re actively assisting their handler or undergoing training. Socialisation and exposure are both critical parts of an assistance dog’s development, and we all play a role in helping ensure their training goes smoothly.

So, what guidelines does ASDOG want us to know and follow to help assistance dogs when they’re in public? 🐕‍🦺👩‍🦯 

• ASDOG puppies and accredited assistance dogs enjoy pats and attention, but please ask permission before touching a dog. Your attention may be a distraction and prevent the dog from listening and/or tending to its handler.​
• Please do not use commands, call, whistle, or otherwise try to distract a working dog. Puppy raisers and recipients have been trained in the most effective ways to control their dog’s behaviour, and additional commands are confusing for the dog. Please only provide assistance if requested.
• Please do not feed the dog. All dogs are on a feeding schedule and may even be on a special diet. Food is the ultimate distraction to a working dog and can jeopardise the working assistance dog team.
• Speak to the person, not the assistance dog! Most handlers do not mind talking about their puppy or assistance dog if they have the time. 
  
  

Please don’t be offended if the assistance dog partner or puppy raiser does not have time to stop and chat to you. Whilst we welcome enquiries and comments from the public, we do all lead busy lives, and we guarantee you are not the first person today who wants to ask questions or compliment the dog!
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• Don’t be afraid of the dog. Assistance dogs from organisations like Australian Support Dogs, Inc., and other members of Assistance Dogs International, are carefully tested for sound temperament and have been professionally trained to a high standard.

Assistance dogs are more than just adorable companions — they’re highly trained professionals with an important job to do. By understanding how to behave around them in public, we can all help create a safer, more supportive environment for both the dogs and the people they assist.
Whether it's resisting the urge to pat, giving them space, or simply educating others, small actions can make a big difference. Together, we can ensure that assistance dogs stay focused, confident, and successful in their roles.​

Thank you for doing your part to support the work of assistance dogs and their incredible impact! 🐾💙​

Want to know how you can help to support Australian Support Dogs? Learn more here!