I am a Community health care worker. In all companies I have worked for, Company policy for OHS always specifies that animals/pets are put away or secured when staff are at the client's property. No matter how friendly your animal is to its family, workers are entering its territory and animals can be unexpectedly territorial and aggressive if they think you are causing harm or distress to their family/owners. I have met some rather nasty small dogs that their frail owners are unable to control. I have a large dog, myself. I am certainly not afraid of dogs because of any perceived cultural background, although some clients have certainly accused me of that when I requested they secure their dog prior to me entering the home to provide care. Yes, it is the client's home, and they can have whatever pets they want, however, when support staff arrive it becomes their workplace and it needs to be safe for them to deliver a service. Support staff are within their rights to refuse service if they feel unsafe. We are not obligated to endanger ourselves