According to the Merriam Webster definition of “a dog’s life,” it is a difficult, boring, and unhappy life. Unfortunately for some, that may be true, however, in today’s world most enjoy a pampered existence courtesy of their owners. Dogs are often considered a member of the family and in some cases have replaced the need for some to have children. Dogs are dressed up for holidays, taken on errands, and some owners generally assume that their dog should be able to go anywhere that they do.

My best recollection is that PetSmart began this phenomenon of dogs accompanying their owners into a retail establishment. Since that time the practice has grown, and customers accompanied by dogs can be found in many types of businesses. Understand that I am talking about pets and not trained service dogs. Trained service dogs should be welcomed anywhere their human goes. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has reenforced this practice to ensure the rights of those with trained service dogs. But as often occurs, something intended for good is obscured by selfish individuals that want to take advantage of the system. Today, folks can buy service dog harnesses and other official looking paraphernalia just to get their dog into places they shouldn’t be.

Service animals are defined as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. They are working animals, not pets. The work or the task they provide must be directly related to the person’s disability. Dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA.

The Roosevelt Park Zoo, like others, has a no pets allowed policy to ensure the safety of our animals and guests. While in public, service dogs, as opposed to a comfort animal or regular pet, are specifically trained among other things to be quiet unless performing a trained task, remain calm, focus on their human, not other animals, food, or other humans. Service dogs in public are expected not to urinate or defecate inappropriately, whine, bark, growl, or even pick up food items.

Service animals are amazing and potentially lifesaving to their humans, and as sweet as one’s personal pet might be, it is not a service dog. The ADA allows two questions to be asked of those entering with service dogs related to its purpose. Although some may lie, this is the only means we have for protecting our animals. Whether you are planning a trip to the zoo or elsewhere with your pet, plan ahead by checking with the establishment beforehand to avoid embarrassment or confrontation that can easily be avoided by knowing their policies.

Our pets are special to us, and we want to get them out and share them with others, but there must be limits. Thank you to those who recognize this fact and adhere to common courtesies, but shame on those who want to game the system as it makes it more difficult for those who need their trained service animals to survive.