Many people are canine fans, so it stands to reason that when they meet a dog, their initial reaction is to want to interact with or pet the pooch. But service dogs are special canines, even when irresistible. They are among the elite trained professionals of the canine species, and as such, need to be respected, especially when involved in professional duties.
The rule to follow when you meet a service dog is “Do not touch or distract a Service Dog”.
This rule should be necessarily applied whether the dog is officially in service or being trained to enter service. These dogs are fundamental to the well-being of their owners, and if you intervene and distract a service dog, even with the best intentions, you are placing their owner at risk. Distracting a service dog may prevent the dog from perceiving important cues that may be vital to the handlers’s safety.