Service Dogs Aren’t for Everyone

I get a comment that I am lucky to bring my dog with me everywhere. And while I agree that I’m incredibly fortunate to have the resources to afford a service dog, I don’t feel lucky.

To need a service dog, you must be disabled. I strongly identify with the disabled community and autistic community but that doesn’t mean I want to be disabled. The challenges that come with being disabled don’t override getting to bring a dog with me everywhere.

I think people forget that my service dog is medical equipment. I don’t bring her for fun but to function. The time, money, and energy that goes into caring for these dogs and maintaining their high training level are often exhausting.

I’m incredibly grateful that I have this dog to help me move about a world that wasn’t made for me, but it’s not as ideal as people make it out to be. When I hear “I want to get a service dog” I cringe because they are seeing 5 minutes of me and thinking it’s all rainbow and sunshine without realizing everything else that goes into it, such as judgment, access issues, and exhaustion. Your perception of life with a service dog isn’t generally the reality of life with a service dog.

Service dogs are an incredible resource and life saving but should be a last resort. I encourage you to read the “Considerations” tab at the bottom of this page before choosing to get a service dog.