Alberta Waives Red-Tape on Pet-Friendly Patios

This month, the Province of Alberta waives red tape for dog-friendly restaurant patios.

For dog owners, a dog-friendly patio season signals a fun summer feature, and for some Persons Living with Disabilities, dog-friendly could signal a more accessible summer season.

We will unpack some of the perceived pros and cons of pet-inclusive areas through the lens of disability.

Some of the Cons to Pet-Friendly Patios

Consider the argument that pet-friendly spaces may inhibit a service animal from doing its job effectively. For example, could the presence of other dogs distract the service animal. Or, because the patio is pet-friendly, will staff and other visitors attempt to engage with, pet, or play with a service animal?

There could also be concerns around pet capacity, tripping hazards, and general pet etiquette. The ‘what ifs’ can quickly stack up!

We suggest that If you have a pet-friendly patio, consider establishing a pet etiquette guide for guests to review prior to seating.

Some Simple Etiquette Tips Could Include:

1. Short leashes which are thick, easily spotted instead of thin wire leashes.
2. An attendant must be with the pet at all times.
3. Pets must be known to be good with people and other pets.
4. All visitors shall ask owners permission to engage with pets on the patio.

The Pros of Pet-Friendly Patios

Besides the delight of having access to patios with your furry friends– pet-friendly spaces could unintentionally make the visiting experience better for PLWD.

How? Many folks living with Disabilities utilize service dogs (and non-service dogs) to navigate the world with confidence and safety. For example, those who are neurodiverse, living with vision-loss/blind, deaf/hearing-loss, epilepsy, and illness are only a few examples of some individuals who may rely on service and non-service dogs.

Although there are legal rights to access a public space with a service animal in Canada, access is not always a breeze.

Access Barriers for Service Dogs

Stories shared by disability activists and influencers highlight the barriers service-animal users face. Some examples include services refused due to the presence of a guide dog or, in extreme cases, staff questioning the legitimacy of an individual’s disability. (It is essential to train your team on a service animal’s right to access).

Through her YouTube channel, Molly Burke, a blind social media influencer and public speaker, shares her weekly struggles facing attitudinal barriers when commuting with her service animal.

She unpacks service animal etiquette, rights to access, and draws impactful parallels to the experience of PLWD with other equity-seeking groups.

Watch and listen to her story on Service Dogs here.

Until literacy of disability rights is the social norm, pet-friendly patios have an interim opportunity to grant barrier-free access to all their patrons traveling with a dog.

How to Distinguish Between a Pet vs a Service Animal

The good news is, with minimal education on the topic, service animals and pets can exist in public spaces together, as long as we all do our part.

Because service dogs are working dogs, there are social nuances to be aware of– they are not pets.

Some Service Dogs Will Wear:

1. A Raised Handle Assistance Harness
2. A Vest
3. A Mobility Harness
4. Other Visual Indicators
5. Or, a common Collar and Leash

It is essential to avoid assuming a dog is or is not a service animal since each person’s ability needs are unique. The service the animal can provide to its human companion is broad and mobility harnesses are not always worn on the animal.

What Potential Does Pet-Friendly Spaces Have?

Wherever possible, we don’t encourage inclusion policies which require escalation, such as management approval or building in accommodations as an afterthought. Our approach is to remove existing barriers to ensure everyone is included by design.

If done mindfully, pet-friendly patios and other public spaces can normalize the presence of an animal. This normalization removes the attitudinal red tape, and like able-bodied patrons, People Living with Disabilities can achieve equitable access, no questions asked. For now, that is a small win.