How My Service Dog Helps Break Social Barriers

For those of you who don’t follow me on Instagram and see my absurd collection of pictures of my dogs, I have two retrievers named Wish and Vince. Vince, or Vince Charming as he’s affectionately called, is an English cream golden retriever and the family dog. Wish, on the other hand, is a mix between a black Labrador and golden retriever and is my service dog. While I love to gush about my two cuddle bugs equally — yes, I’m one of those annoying dog moms — I’ll focus today on my girl, Wish, and detail our shared bond.

Wish and Vince. (Courtesy of Alyssa Silva)

Service dogs are a tremendous asset to anyone who is living with a disability and, of course, loves pets. Dogs are brilliant animals. Not only are they intelligent and willing to learn, but they are also empathetic. I’m not sure this is scientific fact, but every dog I’ve had in my lifetime (service dog or not) has been hyper-aware of emotions that run in my house. It’s incredible how keen they are to a person’s energy, and more often than not, it is from my dogs that I seek comfort.

(Courtesy of Alyssa Silva)

Wish is no different. In September 2015, my parents and I flew down to an eight-day training program, and that was where I met my girl. She came from a farm down in Milton, Georgia, which is the home of a nonprofit organization called Canine Assistants. Being my second service dog from this organization, I knew I would be in great hands with the trainers and paired with a dog that would best suit my needs. I wasn’t wrong. Wish was already named when I got her, but because it was right around my birthday, I always tell people she’s a candle-blowing Wish come true.

Aside from what a service dog’s title suggests on paper (knowing different commands to help their human, providing comfort when needed, sensing oncoming seizures or diabetic highs and lows, etc.), Wish has brought another service to the table, something I had never expected and never knew I needed all along. Wish has helped break down social barriers whenever we go out in public and continues to do so to this day.

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I don’t mean to brag or anything, but Wish is quite the cutie and an object of attention wherever we go. So, whenever we are approached by a passerby admiring her sweet, southern charm, I encourage them to say hello and give her a good rub. Fortunately, the organization she came from allows their service dogs to receive attention from others while working.

I’m a big fan of this idea. Without intentionally trying, this kind of interaction fostered by Wish encourages more acceptance of me due to the conversations with the people we encounter. After all, instead of people staring at me for the wrong reasons, they stare at my dog for the right reasons. Instead of people making judgments as they pass by, they make small talk to learn about Wish and me. Instead of being “just some girl in a wheelchair,” I am an actual human being with thoughts and feelings who is happy to talk to you.

I’m not saying service dogs are the answer to the problematic stigmas that exist for people with disabilities, but I do believe they can facilitate in lessening the detrimental impact these stigmas have on one’s emotional well-being. It is because of Wish that I have plentiful opportunities to meet new people and engage in more conversations I may not have had without her by my side. Aside from taking on the role of a service dog, I think it’s safe to say she’s also my partner in crime wherever we go.

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