YSK That many people with a disability consider their aides (wheelchair, etc.) an extension of themselves. You should ask before touching or moving them.

[u/LtSoundwave]

Read this article and was surprised to hear how many people struggle with this. Even if you are trying to help, you should ask first.

www.bbc.com/news/disability-49584591

[u/[deleted]]

I try not to even look at service animals. I am just too in the habit of smiling at them and making the universal 'please come and greet me' unconsous thing that dogs seem to understand but I don't.

Imagine how horrible you would feel if you distracted someone's service animal at the wrong time and the person died or something. You just don't fuck about with shit like that. Even if they are cute.

[u/sammietheservicedog → u/[deleted]]

As a handler, thank you. Also, in some places, it’s actually illegal to distract a service dog and if something happens to the handler or animal because of your actions, you can be held legally responsible for the damages.

[u/BambooFatass → u/[deleted]]

I encounter a decent number of service dogs at work and it takes all my might to refrain from making eye contact with them or smiling at them (well nowadays the mask helps with the latter problem). I respect people's service animals to not try to pet or play with them, but it sucks that not everyone understands that. :(