Canine Employment Scheme

Before you "pet that dawg"

There are some things you need

To take note of or

To ask if unsure

Because before you stick your hand out

Check what the owner is asking for

And the colour of the harness

And any words it says

Because words aren't there for "funsies"

They're there to be read

And "assistance dog" means stop

Before you distract the dog

And "therapy dog" means stop

Before you distract the dog

All these dogs are working

And you not seeing why

Doesn't mean they're not

Important to their owners'

Daily way of life and

Keeping a job themselves or

Keeping afloat or

Staying alive

And completing "basic" tasks

That come easier to you

Can be a real challenge

For the neuro-

divergent or challenged

By disorders and conditions

Medications can't just "fix"

No matter how they're conditioned

And having a trained dog there

Can help cope with this

When the dog is free to work

And act as it needs

With focus on its human

Ready to respond, not feed

Your selfish desire

To feel fur under hand

Because not all dogs are yours

To make contact with or stand

Before, making high pitched sounds

That can irritate the owners

Already overwhelmed, run aground

Tired of interceptions

Getting in the way

Of movement and progression

Potentially inciting aggression

They must try to keep at bay

Because they would be wrong

For snapping at you

The blame would never fall on

You nor the last hundred and two

Despite the following being only true:

There is no dog too cute

To be left to work

To help them food shop

To help them get by

Too cute to be ignored

By all their passersby

Because it's not rude of them

To keep the dog to themself

And not struggle with crowds

For the sake of the health

Of a stranger's relationship

With a dog they didn't know

Which brings us back to this

Before you go

And pet that dog

Passing you by

Take a look at the harness

The lead

And use well your eyes

And your manners

Because you should always ask

Can I pet your dog

Before assuming the task.