Don't Pet the Service Dog; He's On Duty

Greg is a 19 year old from New Hampshire. Like most teens his age, he'll be going to college in September—taking classes, living in a dorm...

But unlike other freshman, Greg will have a four-legged roommate: his service dog, Sprinkles.

"When you first get a service dog, you set targets, like: 'I want my dog to help me with balance, stability and mobility," said Greg, who came to Dobbs Ferry this week for his bonding week with Sprinkles, who will be his second service dog. "But then you realize the dog helps you emotionally. My dog doesn't judge me; I can tell him anything."

Sprinkles was trained by ECAD (Educated Canines Assisting with Disabilities), a local organization that trains dogs—mainly golden retrievers—to accompany people with physical and emotional disabilities ranging from orthopedic problems to post-traumatic stress disorder. 

On Wednesday, ECAD hosted an open house at its training facility in Dobbs Ferry's Children's Village to honor International Assistance Dog Week. Assistance dogs include guide dogs, service dogs, hearing alert dogs, seizure alert/response dogs and medical alert/response dogs. International Assistance Dog Week was established as a result of the efforts of Marcie Davis, a paraplegic who lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

"The main idea for Assistance Dog Week is to spread awareness of the prevalence of assistance dogs and to teach people proper etiquette surrounding them," said Carrie Picard, daughter of Lu and Dale Picard, ECAD's founders. "People know not to walk up and pet seeing-eye-dogs, but they don't realize you shouldn't touch service dogs either. They can be the arms and legs of a disabled person."

ECAD is a unique program in that it trains dogs to serve people with all disabilities—except sight and hearing impairment. It is also unique because much of the training is performed by students in special act school districts like Children's Village, Greenburgh Graham and Green Chimneys.

Greg, whose first service dog will stay home with his parents when he and Sprinkles head off to Salve Regina University in Rhode Island, said most public places are accommodating to people with service dogs.

"Hotels can be difficult though," he said. "Sometimes they want to charge more 'because of the mess'—which is ridiculous! Would you charge extra for someone with crutches?"

Greg believes "bonding week," or a service dog recipient's first week with the dog, is the most important time in their relationship.

"It's when you familiarize yourself with the dog," he explained. "Trust between a master and worker goes two ways. We have to work as a cohesive unit."

Rubbing Sprinkles, he added: "Everything flows so nicely with Sprinkles. I have a feeling we'll be just fine together."

International Assistance Dog Week 2011 is August 7 through 13.

Learn more about ECAD and its programs here.