Service Animals Patch Program®

This 2″ iron-on embroidered patch is part of our patch program®.

If you can arrange for someone who trains service animals to visit your troop, that would be a great way to earn the Service Animals patch.

If that’s not possible, you can share with your girls some important information about service animals.

Patch

• Look for an age appropriate video about service animals for your troop to watch.
• Remind girls that any animal wearing a vest that says Service Animal is working.
• Service animals can include dogs, miniature horses (must be housebroken and facility must be able to accommodate their size) and Capuchin monkeys (however monkeys may not be allowed on planes).
• Each service animal is individually trained to perform tasks directly related to the person’s disability.
• Service animals must be allowed in most public places, even if no pets are not allowed. Businesses can ask if the animal is required for a disability and what tasks it has been trained to perform,
• Let your girls know that although they should ask before approaching or distracting any animal, this is especially important with service animals because they are working to keep someone with a disability safe. Trying to pet, whistle or entice a service animal to come to you can be distracting and put their ‘person’ in danger.
• Help your girls understand that their feelings shouldn’t be hurt if they are told not to pet a service animal.
• Remind girls that not every disability is obvious and service animals are not only trained to help those who are blind, deaf or in a wheelchair. They also help alert their person of an oncoming medical episode or perform tasks including:
  • Seizures
  • Blood sugar that is too high or low
  • Calm those with PTSD as well as people with many mental health issues.
  • Remind their person to take medications
  • They can help with physical tasks such as pick up things that are hard to reach, opening a door and so much more.
• Girls should also remember to be polite and not ask why someone has a service dog. If the person wants to share that information they will, but not everyone likes to share such personal information.
• Perhaps the most important thing you can teach your troop is that if they see a service animal without it’s person, that could mean someone needs help. Notify an adult right away so the adult can follow the animal to asses the situation and call 911 if necessary.

Your girls may have an opportunity to learn about other types of service animals if they have a visit from a police or military K-9 unit or a search and rescue team.