Giving Paws by Martha Thompson

Author:Martha Thompson
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781633934993
Publisher: Koehler Books
Published: 2015-11-25T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 12

Knowledge Is Power

ON ONE LEVEL, I knew my efforts to train and use a service dog were novel and gutsy, and I had every right to be proud of Henry and myself. On another level, I was overwhelmed by the responsibility I had taken on. What were you thinking? Where did you get the idea that you had the courage to break ground and be the first zoo employee to have a service dog? How could I have known that curious people would innocently invade my privacy with their inquiries and mean-spirited people would challenge me about his presence?

Common sense told me there were other people in the world who faced similar problems, so using the words “challenges of having a service dog,” I searched the Internet and found an organization called Service Dog Central, a community of service dog partners and trainers who shared a lot of helpful information.3

The website said that, according to the University of Arizona, 0.9% of people with disabilities were partnered with service dogs, which worked out to approximately 15,000 pups across the U.S. The site also featured information on training, handling, access issues, rights and legal issues, public education, advocating, and support for people like me.

I was especially happy to find advice on the Service Dog Central website on how to respond to ignorant questions.4 For example, when challenged by a business owner who clearly did not know that the law permitted service dogs in stores, one could respond in a friendly, confident way by stating their rights, thereby educating the owner. This was much more effective than getting defensive, or my response, which was getting embarrassed, bursting into tears and running out of the store. The website also suggested carrying little cards with the law printed on one side and the name of one’s service dog on the other, which one could hand to people when challenged.

Another website, ServicePoodle.org, specifically addressed some of the issues I was facing.5 Maeve, a standard poodle service dog, was the site’s “spokesperson”: the photos of her sweet face made the website very appealing. She and her owner advocated for people like me, who were new to the service dog world and easily intimidated. Maeve provided the following list of the “cons of having a service dog.”

1.

If your disability was not apparent before you got a service dog, it will be after you do so. Even if it was apparent, you’ll be spotted sooner and get more attention with a service dog. (However, access will get easier over time and as local businesses begin to recognize you).

2.

You WILL be challenged about your dog frequently when you enter premises where pets are not allowed.

3.

You will be challenged by a law enforcement officer at some point. Chances are good that he or she won’t do so entirely appropriately.

4.

Your disability will be discussed on or before the first date if you are single and have a service dog.

5.

Some people will pay more attention to the dog than to you.

6.

Every public errand takes much longer with a service dog.

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