Winnie the service dog, a black dog with graying face wearing a yellow bandanna.

“Where’s Winnie?”

I get this question often whenever I am on campus without Winnie, my service dog. Most of these questions come from friends and classmates who, more often than not, see me with a happy dog attached at my hip. I typically respond with “At home” or “She’s resting.” So why are there times when Winnie is not with me? I mean, she’s my service dog, so shouldn’t that mean we’re always together?

No.

A service dog does not have to go everywhere with their handler to be a legitimate service animal. The ADA does not place constraints for how often a SD should be with their handler to be a “real” service dog. There are numerous reasons why a handler may choose to leave their medical equipment at home. For example, I work in a biological research lab and take several lab science courses. These are not safe environments for Winnie and would require extensive accommodations to safely place her in these settings. I know I can handle my disabilities well enough during these times, and would rather keep her safe and happy at home. Winnie’s safety and comfort come first, and it is my responsibility to make the appropriate choices for her.

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This past Saturday, I attended my college’s football game without Winnie. To be honest, I was nervous about not bringing her. Crowds and loud noises are especially difficult for me. But due to other factors in place, taking her was not the right decision for either of us. I planned accordingly and used alternative motivating measures for my conditions. While I still struggled, I made it through! And I am quite proud to say I did.

Ultimately, it is up to the individual handler to judge when the use of their service dog is appropriate. Just because someone can go somewhere without their SD does not mean they don’t need their dog or aren’t disabled! Everyone has individual needs and their choices should be respected.

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