Assistance dogs are fast becoming a popular choice to aid a disabled person’s mobility. There are guide dogs for the blind and visually impaired; signal dogs for those who are hard of hearing; and then there are service dogs, which are trained to detect whether their humans are about to have a seizure or provide assistance to physically-disabled persons.

You may wonder why these pooches have dog harnesses that read “Please don’t pet me, I’m working.” It’s not meant to keep people away from them, rather it means that it is doing a task and should not be distracted. Petting a dog also diminishes its instincts, which can hinder it from doing its job properly.So next time you see an assistance dog, just admire them from where you are. Don’t call on them or give them treats, because their own human does that for them. Let them fully serve their disabled human.