Dogs are not allowed in the backcountry of National Parks.  Dogs negatively affect the wildlife, even when they are leashed.  Canine fecal matter carries a number of diseases and parasites, which may be passed on to wildlife.  Most dogs are not good hikers: their paws become lacerated and since they sweat through their feet, it is easy for them to overheat. 

However, there are those who cannot bear being away from their fuzzy loved one for the length of a hike in the wilderness, so they bring them along.  Even where it is prohibited.  How, you may ask?  Just say it is a service dog.

Bingo.  No one may question the service dog ploy.  Websites selling service dog vests, collars, and even bandanas, brag, “Take your dog anywhere”.  Then they sanctimoniously add that they sincerely hope that no one is gaming the system by registering a service dog which is not in fact a service dog. 

Right.

A true service dog is trained.  They do not go off leash, ever, and said leash is not retractable.  They do not bark at children, or anyone else.  They do not sit on their owners’ lap in the restaurant and eat from the plate. 

A therapy dog doesn't need to be trained.  It doesn’t even need a doctor’s note. 

Public entities, such as Park Rangers, may ask if the person is disabled and if this is the service dog.  They may not ask the manner of the disability.

The person may be asked what major life task the animal is trained to perform.  Websites warn that one should have the answer memorized so “it flows smoothly”.  Duplicitous?  Nah. 

No paperwork required.  This is on the honor system.  Period.  ADA is not pleased.  They are concerned that the rights of those with disabilities will be undermined by those who simply want their Fido along everywhere they go and are willing to lie to achieve their ends.

There is no really good way to address this on the trail.  One is allowed to ask, compassionately, what the dog is trained to react to and what, as a caring professional, one should do upon that occasion.  This evokes a blank stare from those who have not rehearsed their smooth response.  One can, if one is in a snarky mood and out of uniform, mention that liars go to Hell.

This is becoming enough of a problem that some states are passing laws penalizing passing one’s dog off as a service dog.  Grand Canyon National Park requires a special permit.  Yellowstone requires a special permit, and therapy dogs are prohibited in the backcountry (they have bears and wolves, after all). A Park is allowed to close an area to service animals if it is determined that the animal poses a threat to the health or safety of people or wildlife. 

So what is the harm if the dog is well behaved?  Surely rotten children do more damage to the wilderness.  After all, dogs don’t spray paint their name on the rocks.  So at what point does one decide that this is a law we will ignore, and this is a law we will obey? 

Permit required for overnight camping?  I’m a good person: I won’t need no stinkin’ permit.  No campfires? I’ll build a small fire – no harm, no foul.  Carry out my trash?  But I’m so tired!  The question becomes: are you an ethical person, or are you not?

My son tells me that Wiccans don’t need revenge: we have Karma.  I myself would hesitate to brag to all and sundry that I need a service dog when I in fact do not.  Fate might take a hand and mutter, “You want a service dog?  I’ll give you a reason for a service dog, and see how you like it”.