Over the weekend I took Kay to Music Makers at GiGi’s Playhouse. It had been a while since we were able to attend this program, and Kay always has such a great time. This time we even brought Maeve along for her very first experience. It can be quite the task to help Maeve settle in an environment full of people and loud musical instruments while also keeping an eye on Kay and making sure she is behaving. But we managed, and it was worth it. Maeve thrives when she is as close to Kay and me as possible, and even with all the distractions around she still settled and made her alerts when needed.
Maeve is a true lover of children, so taking her to GiGi’s Playhouse, where she is surrounded by so many kids, has been a real test for both of us. For Maeve, it means learning to focus on her job instead of playing, and for me it means making sure she follows through with her training while also helping the kids understand that she is working. Maeve is adorable and it is only natural that kids want to pet her, but I have to explain that as tempting as it is, petting her could distract her from her job of keeping Kay safe.
One of the most important things to remember about service dogs is that when you see them in public, they are working. It may be tempting to talk to them, call their name, or reach out to pet them, but even small distractions can interfere with their ability to focus. When a service dog loses concentration, it can affect their training or cause them to miss an important medical alert. What might feel like a harmless “hello” could actually put their handler at risk.
The kindest way to support a service dog team is to admire the dog from a distance and allow them to do their job. A service dog may look calm and relaxed, but they are always paying attention to their handler and monitoring for important cues. Respecting their space is one of the best ways you can help the person who depends on them.
I know that as time goes on and families see Maeve becoming a regular at GiGi’s Playhouse, they will learn that she is there to work. Soon she will simply blend into the background as just another part of the room, which is exactly how it should be.