***Important Context: There's a person who works in my building who comes to work around the same time I do each day escorted by a VERY snorglable pup in an ESA harness. So there's no confusion about the dog's role, only whether I can ask this stranger if I can pet her dog.
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While teaching in college, I had ex-vets who took my class & brought in ESAs. When a student asked if she could pet his dog, one vet replied, "You need emotional support, get your own dog." It's a very personal thing with many of them. I would refrain unless you know the person.
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That's a good line of reasoning. I like that.
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I always tell my kids that if the animal is wearing a vest, it is working so do not even ask. In the case of strange dogs without vests they are to ask the owner before doing anything. Personally I wouldn't even ask as long as the animal is marked as a service animal.
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I tend to start up a conversation w/owner 1) it allows owner to feel at ease when you ask 2) new buddy even if just for a 5 min convo That being said I know someone on my campus who loves when people ask to pet Molly(his ESA) & theres another who hates it So...kinda case by case
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A few of my customers have ESA dogs and the rule of thumb is if there is a harness or vest is on , working so do not pet. If vest is off or harness is down or loose, ok to pet. I still ask the owner.
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If the person is uncomfortable about touching, then no for the animal as well. Ask "Do you let people pet your animal?" (not the more threatening "Can I ...")
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I have an ESA. I find it's perfectly acceptable to pet them as long as you approach much like any other dog. They're here for comfort, not medical emergencies, so they don't have to be 'on alert' all the time.
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I just always assume ALL dogs are emotional support animals, and take my cue from the owner. lol
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I think it would be alright to ask if they're an ESA or not, but not ask why they have it. I'm hopefully getting one myself.
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You should never ask. It puts the owner in the awkward position of having to turn you down.
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Though my partner has an ESA and she doesnt mind if someone asks to pet her, I still think its better to err on the side of caution if the ESA is clearly marked as such. If it isnt, go ahead and ask
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Service animals should not be petted or approached without the owner's permission. Some will allow it, some won't.
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Usually if the vest is on, the pup is working. If this is someone you see frequently, try offering a smile or a wave. If you treat them as a unit, offer some kindness and interest, the odds of making a connection (or seeing that it's a clear no) should become apparent.
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I asked someone once with a dog that didn't have the ESA vest but was still an emotional support animal. The owner didn't mind and just told me he was an ESA and didn't like strangers. I'd say you can ask politely and the owner will tell you
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Best rule is to never touch a working dog of any kind & don't ask. I greet service dogs verbally, which means nothing to them, but it seems polite to acknowledge their presence & importance to their people.
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ESAs aren't allowed public access rights and aren't task trained (meaning they need to focus on their handler and perform disability related tasks), so it's not a problem to interfere with them. Out of the home, they're a pet, you can ask to pet them!
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If the animal is in public and working always assume it is rude to even ask. Handlers get stopped sometimes every hour by questions like this and it impedes their ability to go about they day normally. 1/2
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Unless you know them personally and have been given explicit permission to ask just don't even ask. In home may be a different option if they aren't working but most often in public they are legally Service Animalss not just ESA and need to be focused on their handler. /2
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I have an ESA and don’t mind at all, I can see why some people wouldn’t want you to though. I’d recommend just asking first if it’s a know there is probably a personal reason but odds are against it
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