How do you feel about service dogs?

R

Rider77

New Member
I'll start. I think this is a toss up subject for me. Being at the VA frequently, as a veteran receiving my healthcare and as a volunteer, I see a lot of persons come in with service dogs. The ones that are for real are well trained and obviously loyal to their owner. I also see some folks come in with dogs not trained to be service animals. Some of those are disruptive, and I've seen the VA police ask that person to remove their dog from the facility.

I also see individuals in stores and restaurants with service dogs. Again the for real service trained dogs are no problem at all. I think someone bringing in a house pet especially one not well trained is an insult to the public we share share space with.

What's your take on this subject?
 

That is exactly my sentiment. I also am embarrassed for persons who are physically fit and will use wheel chair assistance provided by an airline simply to move ahead in the boarding process. How did I know that a person did this? When coming off the plane she nearly ran over me getting to baggage claim. My wife's health prevents her from walking long distances, and we use our own folding transport chair to move about in the airport. We fold it and check it at the gate.

Using that device provides us mobility but it's not without it's issues. In recent years I have started booking all our air travel in the first class seating. We pay the extra price for the comfort that the cost affords without objection. We don't however force our way to the front of the line. We simply adhere to the airlines defined boarding process. When exiting the plain at the end of a flight we wait till others have exited. That allows us to get our transport chair at the plane's door and proceed to the airport without holding up everyone else. It's no big deal just common courtesy. Mom would smack me if we didn't do this without being told too.
 

I had the opportunity to watch a golden lab seeing eye dog assist a blind man at an intersection in the center of town earlier this week.

The man's trust in his dog was obvious and total. It was a 4 way intersection with lots of traffic and the dog used his body to keep his human from entering the crosswalk until it was clear. Once it was safe, the dog gently led the man in the direction he wanted to go.

The dog kept checking on his human and wasn't distracted by all the noise and traffic. I was watching from a nearby café window so had time to observe the pair until they moved out of sight. Truly amazing team.
 
Last edited:
@Rider77, I agree with you on both points - faux service dogs and people gaming the system at the airport. It’s interesting to count the number of people using a wheelchair to get on the plane and the number using one to get off. Also, the speed which those who have been miraculously cured while flying can move.
 

You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top