With holidays and celebrations throughout the year from birthdays and Valentine’s Day to Thanksgiving and Christmas, service dog recipients may find themselves wondering how to ensure everyone stays safe and comfortable. Whether you’re hosting guests, traveling across the country, or volunteering your time to help others, Putnam Service Dogs offers helpful tips to make sure you and your service dog can fully enjoy the festivities and special occasions.
Service Dogs Make the Holidays Brighter!
From shopping and celebrations to meals at home and in your favorite restaurants, having a service dog (and companion!) just makes everything a little brighter. While dogs should also be able to enjoy the giving and good cheer that comes with any holiday season, they are still responsible for doing their jobs – and they want to do them! Your service dog joyfully helps you each and every day, even through the holidays, which is the greatest gift you could give your amazing dog.
5 Dog Tips to Celebrate the Holidays Safely with Your Service Dog
Whether you’re approaching the first holiday with a service dog or you are trying something new for an upcoming holiday, the following 5 dog tips will help you celebrate safely and joyfully.
Dog Tip #1 – Avoid “Special” Holiday Foods
It may be tempting to serve your dog a heaping plate of holiday food, but this should be avoided. Dogs can’t understand that a specific food is “special,” and feeding it to your dog now may cause them to become immediately attracted to it – and distracted by it – in the future. If you are spending the holidays with friends or family, stress the importance of never feeding your service dog food meant for people.
Dog Tip #2 – Avoid Specific Holiday Plants
Numerous beautiful plants adorn homes and businesses during the holiday months, but some can be incredibly toxic. Keep your service dog away from azaleas, lilies, poinsettias, amaryllis, mistletoe, and holly. If you have a real Christmas tree, don’t let your dog drink the water, and avoid tinsel wherever possible. Be mindful of falling pine needles, food ornaments, chocolates and sweet treats, and the potential for broken glass ornaments or decorations, as well.
Dog Tip #3 – Keep Your Dog on a Leash in Someone Else’s Home
If you will be visiting another home for the holidays, let the host know that you will be keeping your dog on a leash and beside you for the entire event. Be sure to find out whether the host has pets of their own – or if others will be bringing their pets – and whether any of those animals are territorial. If so, and if territorial pets cannot be kept in a separate room or location, it may be best to decline the invitation. Your service dog is not a pet, and he or she offers vital, often lifesaving services.
Dog Tip #4 – Designate a “Calm Space,” Especially for New Year’s Eve
Even the best service dogs can be sound-sensitive, especially when it comes to the repetitive loud pops of fireworks nearby. Though you should always talk to your veterinarian about any issues your dog may experience, there are a few things you can do ahead of time to make the experience better. One of the best dog tips for dealing with fireworks involves moving to a room with as few windows and doors as possible, keeping the windows and curtains closed, and playing some music to drown out the sound. Distracting your dog with toys or games can also be a fun way to pass the time until the noise calms down.
Dog Tip #5 – Feel Free to Give Gifts!
Some of the very best gifts for a service dog, whether you are the recipient or a friend/family member, include:
- Patches, tags, or buttons for his or her vest that can prevent outside interference.
- An all-expenses-paid grooming session with a reputable groomer in your area.
- A new vest with a custom message, designation, or even your dog’s name.
- A subscription treat box that shows up once a month in the mail and gives you access to brands and products you may not otherwise try.
- A decal for your car or truck, a service dog travel mug for your coffee, a custom portrait of your service dog, or even a jigsaw puzzle or blanket with a picture of your service dog on it.
- A donation in their honor that may help someone else experience the life-changing joy you (or someone you know) has experienced with their service dog.
- Toys to beat boredom, such as safe chew toys, puzzles, and even slow feeders.
Help Putnam Service Dogs Make Holidays More Special
Putnam Service Dogs is passionate about lifting the lives of our precious dogs and their incredible recipients. To learn more about how you can help us make the holidays merry and bright, consider making a one-time or monthly tax-deductible donation.
If you would prefer to open your heart and your home to raise service dog puppies, “puppy-sit” while our volunteer puppy raisers take vacations, or help us with our fundraisers, we are always in need of kind-hearted, passionate volunteers ready to make a big impact.
Nancy Teague, the founder of Putnam Service Dogs, is a dedicated advocate who embodies the mission of the organization every single day. Alongside the passionate individuals who have joined the cause, she works tirelessly to make a difference in the lives of both people and dogs. With an unwavering commitment to championing service dogs, Nancy understands the transformative power that occurs when a service dog is matched with its recipient, forging a remarkable team.