Animal Allies: Where Do Service Pets Belong?

Imagine you're out shopping, hiking in a national park, or even on an airplane, and you see a service dog helping its owner navigate, alert to health issues, or provide comfort. Service animals are incredible companions trained to assist people with disabilities in many different ways! But with that comes some big questions: Should service animals be allowed anywhere, from movie theaters to planes to grocery stores? What if someone has allergies or it’s a crowded area? And what if the service animal isn’t a dog? These are just a few considerations people think about when it comes to accessibility with pets and service animals.

This Skillbuilder will get you thinking critically about where service animals should and shouldn’t be allowed and help you consider the rights of people with disabilities, public health, and the rules we put in place for everyone’s safety. By understanding the importance of accessibility; you’ll gain a whole new appreciation for the world of service animals and the people they help every day!

Choose one of the following prompts to address:

1. Service Animal Adventure Map
   Draw a quick map with different locations like a restaurant, airplane, park, and store. Mark each with a “yes,” “no,” or “depends” based on where you think service animals should be allowed. Then, write 2-3 sentences explaining your choices for each location.

2. Accessibility Poster Campaign
   Create a poster that explains to the public why service animals are allowed in certain places and how they help people. Use facts and illustrations to show how these animals make life easier for people with disabilities. This poster should also suggest a few “sensitive areas” where animals might not be allowed and explain why.

3. Service Animal Rules Rewrite
   Pretend you’re in charge of rewriting the rules for service animals in a popular place, like a local business or a city park. Think about who uses the space and how service animals might fit in. Write 3-4 new rules for this place and explain why each one is fair for everyone who visits!