Ohio Service Dog Awareness Week

Designated by the Ohio General Assembly beginning in 2016, Ohio Service Dog Awareness Week, the last week of July, recognizes service dogs that have assisted Ohio citizens with disabilities, including adults, children, and veterans.

 

Service dogs are trained to help people with disabilities, such as those who are blind or have low vision; those who are deaf or hard of hearing; and those with mental health disabilities, physical disabilities, seizure disorders, or diabetes.

 

Here are some helpful do’s and don’ts for when you see a service dog:

 

Do

• Speak to the handler rather than the dog
• Keep your own dog from getting too close

Don’t

• Touch or distract the dog
• Offer food or treats
• Assume a napping dog is off duty

OOD’s Service Animals in the Workplace Guide offers more helpful tips, etiquette, reasonable accommodation considerations, and addresses what to do if other employees have allergies.