This past weekend our family took a little road trip. We had a nice break from our lives and activities here in southern Illinois. While we were out and about, folks we will never see again, and folks who probably never saw a Veteran with a service dog were introduced (not like, “Hi, hello, this is my husband and his service dog”), but while we were out of town, folks got to see Sam and Memphis in action.
Two different people just walked up to Sam and Memphis in a Kroger and leaned in to pet Memphis.
Nope. Not really acceptable. These were total strangers, people who were looking for groceries and just wanted to help themselves to a working dog.
We also witnessed an ESA poodle. Yep. The owner carried said poodle up and down some stairs. We were right behind them. With a real, certified service dog.
What some people do not understand is toting your pet around and claiming it does something for you really makes Sam’s life with Memphis challenging. Please. Please do not hop online and grab a vest for your pet because you want to have it with you wherever you go, you want to live in a place where pets are not allowed.
So, here’s a brief reminder of things that might be helpful when you see a veteran (or person) with a service dog. Because I love my veteran and service dog, because I want Sam to continue to be at ease in public (which, he really deserves, after really fighting to leave the house for work or family events. He was not comfortable around people at all)…
Sam has told me that Veterans are real people. They had to be an adult first in more ways than some people (like a traditional aged college student, let’s say). Unlike most teens or young people, Veterans had to adapt to an adult lifestyle very quickly. With that being said, when you see Sam, for example, you don’t have to treat him like he will break, he’s an adult, and you can even speak to him like an adult.
There is more to the Veteran than a uniform. I’ve heard Sam say this numerous times, and it is one of the reasons he created the Weapons of Mass Creation, an art show that features artwork by Veterans (or their spouses and family members). Veterans can be artistic and show their creative side, they are more than the “things they carry,’ meaning, they are fathers, mothers, husbands, wives, teachers, electricians, etc. Veterans are unique and have a lot of hobbies and various experiences.
Just because a Veteran has a service dog, it does not make them any less of a person. Service dogs are a way to help Veterans adapt to a lifestyle and way of living they may have lost due to war. Sometimes people don’t realize that dogs need a day off. When Memphis is home, people (sometimes those Sam works with), get really worried. Memphis works hard through the week and sometimes on the weekend. Sam knows exactly when he needs time off, and maybe he just needs a long nap.
I know that some people are not aware of what a service dog does and why they cannot be touched in public at times. There are differences between emotional support, therapy, and service dogs. Service dogs have all access. Wherever Sam goes, Memphis goes. Memphis is specifically trained to do work or perform tasks for Sam.
Service gods do amazing work. Please respect their work and their handler/owner. If you have questions, or are curious about what tasks service dogs can perform, please visit This Able Veteran’s website to learn more. I’m sill a firm believer in education. Educating yourself can be key.
I love these two more than they will ever know. <3