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Next week, my daughter, Mia, will celebrate her 14th birthday. At first glance, you might not realize just how remarkable that is. With her vibrant “rainbow hair,” stylish sneakers, and a cellphone often in hand, Mia seems like any ordinary teenager. Yet, she is far from typical. Mia is a warrior who has fought for five years against autoimmune encephalitis—a condition where her body attacks her brain—and a mitochondrial disorder that has put her in life-threatening situations more than once.
Mia’s life is delicate, and to make the most of it, she requires additional support. She relies on a port in her chest for monthly infusions and a feeding tube in her stomach for nutrition. While these supports can easily be hidden and don’t require constant explanations, her other crucial support—a seizure alert dog named Buddy—draws a lot of attention.
Mia takes great pride in Buddy and doesn’t mind explaining his role, but his function is just as essential as her medical equipment. People should respect Buddy’s space just as they would Mia’s feeding tube. Unfortunately, many do not understand this, and it puts Mia at risk. If Buddy is distracted when he should be alerting, Mia could easily experience a seizure in an unfamiliar environment.
Buddy underwent 18 months of professional training. He can sense when Mia is about to seize, allowing her to take precautions. He is also trained to seek help if a seizure occurs unexpectedly. Since Buddy has been home, Mia hasn’t needed hospitalization due to seizure complications. He enables her to lead a more normal life, and he gives me the confidence to let her explore her independence.
However, the curiosity and entitlement of others can endanger that independence. Just last Friday, while I ran into a store to grab a mouthguard for my son’s football practice, I initially hesitated when Mia wanted to stay behind and look at jewelry. But then I remembered my hope for Buddy to provide Mia with more autonomy, so I agreed, telling her to call if she needed me.
Moments later, I received a frantic call from Mia. She was in tears, saying, “Mom, they’re yelling. They won’t stop following me. All I said is he’s a service dog. Mom, please help.” When I found her, she pointed to two women who were yelling about her and Buddy being in the store. Their accusations were laced with profanity, and soon, another woman joined in. The stress caused Mia to have a seizure, and Buddy instinctively laid over her, ensuring her safety.
Security intervened, and we managed to get Mia to a safe space to recover. As we reviewed the security footage, we saw two children approach Buddy while Mia was speaking calmly to them. Then, chaos erupted when she asked them not to pet him, which escalated the situation alarmingly. This could have ended dangerously, and it infuriates me that adults could not respect Mia’s boundaries regarding her medical equipment.
Please, for the love of everything, do not touch a service dog. Teach your children to keep their distance as well. Dogs like Buddy may seem cuter than feeding tubes or oxygen monitors, but they serve equally important roles. If a service dog is distracted by petting, they might miss vital cues that can keep their person safe.
Buddy is a joyful dog and is adored by Mia. He enjoys cuddling, sleeps next to her with her favorite stuffed animal, and has plenty of toys to play with. But when he’s wearing his vest and out in public, he knows it’s time to work. Not every dog is suited for the service dog life, but Buddy is perfect for the job.
Mia’s experience at the store led to charges against the women who harassed her. However, the emotional toll was much deeper. The very dog meant to empower Mia and offer her safety inadvertently placed her in a frightening situation—one that occurred because others could not recognize Buddy’s true purpose. Now, both Mia and Buddy face new fears in a world that should feel safe.
Let this be a learning moment. When someone asks you not to pet a service dog, they are not being selfish or unkind; they are simply trying to ensure their safety.
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Summary
In a recent incident, a mother details an alarming experience where her daughter, who relies on a service dog for medical support, was harassed by other shoppers. The encounter highlights the importance of respecting service dogs and understanding their vital role in the lives of those with medical needs. It serves as a reminder to educate ourselves and others about boundaries regarding service animals.