“Service Dog or Pet? Spot the Difference” Uses Humor to Show What a Trained Service Dog Looks Like in Public
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
The Seeing Eye: Michelle Barlak, 973-775-8350, mbarlak@seeingeye.org
NJRHA: Amanda Stone, astone@njrha.org
October 14, 2026
MORRISTOWN, N.J.—The Seeing Eye, in partnership with the New Jersey Restaurant & Hospitality Association (NJRHA), today released “Service Dog or Pet? Spot the Difference,” a public service announcement (PSA) that helps restaurants, stores, hotels and other businesses understand the rights of people who use service animals and recognize the difference between a trained service dog and a pet. The PSA launches during Blindness Awareness Month.
Set in a busy restaurant, the PSA follows a man and his Seeing Eye® dog, a yellow Labrador retriever, as they find a friend’s table and the dog settles quietly at his handler’s feet. Nearby, a mini Labradoodle named Mr. Butters, wearing a pink tutu and a red vest that reads “Please Pet Me,” has other plans. He runs loose through the dining room, steals burgers from diners’ plates, yanks a tablecloth off a table mid-meal and lifts his leg on a customer’s purse. When a server asks his owner the two questions businesses are legally allowed to ask, the answers make the difference clear. Mr. Butters is shown the door, while the guide dog team stays to enjoy dessert.
Along the way, the PSA delivers the facts businesses need most:
- When it is not obvious that a dog is a service animal, staff may ask two questions: Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability? What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?
- A dog that is not under control, behaves disruptively or is not housetrained, may be asked to leave.
- People with service animals have the legal right to equal access to all places where the public is allowed, including restaurants, stores and hotels.
- Service animals are not required to wear vests, and they cannot be required to sit outside.
- Handlers do not have to disclose their disability or show paperwork for their dogs.
“Seeing Eye dog handlers should be able to walk into a restaurant and order a meal like anyone else, but too often they are met with questions and conditions the law does not allow,” said Karen Leies, president and CEO of The Seeing Eye. “At the same time, untrained pets in public places make it harder for working guide dogs to do their jobs safely. We wanted to give businesses a clear and lighthearted way to understand the law, so they can welcome guide dog teams with confidence and know what to do when a dog’s behavior crosses the line.”
“Hospitality is about creating a welcoming environment for every guest, including those who rely on service animals,” said Daniel Klim, President & CEO of the New Jersey Restaurant & Hospitality Association. “Restaurant operators and their employees want to ensure they are providing an accessible and positive experience for all guests while understanding their rights and responsibilities under the law. This PSA and reference guide provide practical guidance to help businesses navigate these situations with confidence, support their staff and maintain a welcoming environment for everyone.”
The Seeing Eye created the PSA in response to what guide dog handlers report encountering in public. In a Seeing Eye survey of more than 500 guide dog handlers in the U.S. and Canada, approximately 75% said that within the past five years, poorly behaved dogs had prevented them from safely working with their guide dogs inside businesses and other public places. Handlers also reported misconceptions about the law: 54% of U.S. respondents had been told they must show ID to enter a business, almost half had been told at restaurants that they could only sit outside or away from other patrons, and 22% had been told their dog must wear a vest. None of these requirements is legal under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
The PSA is available in 30-, 60- and 90-second versions as well as a full 3½-minute version, each with and without audio description and captions. The PSA was produced by Aggressively Compassionate of Chicago, Illinois. A companion one-page reference guide gives businesses a quick resource to post or share with staff. Broadcasters, businesses, hospitality and tourism organizations, schools and advocacy groups are welcome to use and share all materials free of charge.
The PSA, reference guide and more information about the rights of guide dog handlers are available at www.seeingeye.org/psa.
About The Seeing Eye
Established in 1929, The Seeing Eye provides specially bred and trained dogs to guide people who are blind or low vision. Seeing Eye dog handlers experience greatly enhanced mobility and independence, allowing them to retain their active lifestyles. The Seeing Eye is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit supported by contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations, bequests, and other planned gifts. The Seeing Eye is a trademarked name and can only be used to describe the dogs bred and trained at the school’s facilities in Morristown, N.J. If you would like more information on The Seeing Eye, please visit the website at www.SeeingEye.org, call 973-539-4425, or email info@seeingeye.org.
About New Jersey Restaurant & Hospitality Association
The New Jersey Restaurant & Hospitality Association (NJRHA) is the leading voice of the state’s hospitality industry, representing restaurants, hotels, and related businesses. The industry generates over $40 billion in annual sales, supports more than 366,000 jobs, and is the third-largest private employer in New Jersey. NJRHA advocates on behalf of its members, provides industry resources, and promotes the growth and success of hospitality businesses statewide.
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