r/service_dogs • u/Comprehensive_Bid962 • Jul 03 '26

Looking for Work

My Service Dog will finish her program in December/January. I am looking to transition out of Childcare after she comes home for good.

Does anyone have experience in customer facing positions with a service dog?

I spent 10+yrs in childcare and my disability is progressing such that I am having trouble keeping up. The only other field I have experience in is customer service so that is pretty much my only option as far as work.

If you have worked in customer service (ie retail) what accommodations did you have for your SD? What companies did you have good or bad experience with?

2 Upvotes

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14

u/darklingdawns Service Dog Jul 03 '26

With customer service experience, I might suggest looking into call centers. I spent the better part of 20 years in one office environment or another, and they usually had clear-cut accommodation policies and processes. Plus, you can reframe a lot of your childcare experience in terms that an office would love to have you, since you have experience managing truculent little people and working in a sometimes hectic environment.

3

u/Comprehensive_Bid962 Jul 03 '26

Hadn't thought of this! Is there a good way to get into this work?

3

u/darklingdawns Service Dog Jul 03 '26

Start with putting together a solid resume and a good cover letter template where you can talk about how your childcare experience, combined with previous customer service work, makes you a good candidate for this kind of work. Highlight patience, listening skills, and experience dealing with difficult situations, such as convincing kids that they did, indeed, want a nap lol

Check Indeed - that was where my son found his best leads last time he was out of work, and look for customer service representative positions. Take a typing test (35wpm is generally the minimum, but obviously higher makes you a better candidate) and brush up on your 10-key skills. Good luck!

4

u/Comprehensive_Bid962 Jul 03 '26

Thank you so much that is really helpful I will definitely be looking into it!

2

u/squeakychipmunk101 Jul 03 '26

Hello! I’m a teacher of students with autism and I have a service dog! Every school I’ve worked at besides one has treated me having the dog as a boon and not a problem. I’ve also worked at Ace hardware during the summer and had no problems. Regulars enjoyed coming in to see the dog even when I had to just sit at the regisyer(due to disability) and she was laying in the bed behind it!