Those that know me or notice me will see me around town with my service dog “GRUNT” (unless he is having a spa day that is.) Grunt is not an accessory or a status symbol; he’s a necessity for me in my daily life. Believe it or not there are days that I wish I could simply go about my day without Grunt.
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Those that know me or notice me will see me around town with my service dog “GRUNT” (unless he is having a spa day that is.)
Grunt is not an accessory or a status symbol; he’s a necessity for me in my daily life. Believe it or not there are days that I wish I could simply go about my day without Grunt. Not that I don’t appreciate all that he does for me, but since having a service dog comes with a lot more attention than I want at times.
Like most veterans that have a PTSD service dog, there comes a lot of anxiety with knowing that people are constantly staring and asking questions. The idea of having a service dog is so that you can get out more, and be more social, at the same time it can become consuming.
Sometimes I would like to simply go shopping without 15 people coming up asking me if they can play with grunt, or asking me 15 questions about what are service dogs, why do I have one, or what kind of dog he is?
Like many, while I normally don’t mind answering questions as it comes with the territory, there are times when I simply want to pop in and out of a store like a normal person or sit down to a meal without having to pause to answer many questions about what a service dog is.
Those like me who have a real service dog know that much of this comes in part to so many people using service dogs as a status—so they can take their dogs with them. The blind use them as well.
With the field growing, it is important that people know the difference. While there are Comfort Dogs, Emotional Support Dogs, and Therapy Dogs, none of these are actual “service dogs.” Service Dogs are not just specifically trained to assist a person with needs, but also require specific training for behaving properly in public.
This is not to say that they are perfect, but that in general know not to do things like bark (unless there is distress), not to jump on furniture, not to beg from the table, and most importantly not to simply walk away from their handler.
The idea that you can simply get a note from a doctor, or go on-line to buy a certificate and vest, or even take your dog to a trainer to simply turn them into a service dog is misleading and incorrect.
A service dog must be trained by a certified trainer, but also must meet certain requirements to be a service dog. On average only 1 in 3 dogs pass the test to become a service dog.
As well, those requesting a service dog must meet certain requirements for needing the dog, as well as pass a background check (the handler is representing the agency that gave you the service dog.) I guess the hardest part is at the end of the day, a handler (the person with the service dog) does not own the dog, they are on loan.
A good example is Sully, former President George H.W. Bush’s service dog. After the passing of Bush, Sully has gone on to become an ambassador and comfort dog. The reason they usually take on these rolls after a handler passes is because these dogs are trained for the needs of a specific handler and finding another handler with the exact needs or retraining the dog is not so easy.
On the other side, typically when a service dog retires, the handler depending on their need and requirement will get another service dog. So, what are the ins and outs of a service dog you may ask?
If you see me and Grunt around town, don’t be afraid to say ‘hi,’ most people start with “Hi Grunt! and that guy with him.” Just keep in mind that Grunt is there for my PTSD (Post-traumatic stress disorder), so if I don’t give you an eager hi back, I am not being rude, I am likely having a hard day.
Thanks, Grunt. Good boy.