Service dogs are perfect. They are extensively trained, live strict but loved lives, and look after their owners like truly nobody else can. The dogs’ abilities to detect seizures, grab dropped items, and even warn owners of impending stroke or heart attack make these dogs literally life savers.

With all the amazing things these animals can do, it’s no wonder we’ve learned to accept them in places we usually wouldn’t, like a restaurant or the office. But you will find a growing cynicism towards service and support animals in general, and mostly because of misunderstanding, and I’ll admit that I used to be one of these people.

I had not been raised in a house with pets, and I never could understand the “emotional support animal”. I could understand a seeing eye dog or perhaps a dog that assists with the hearing impaired, but they are obvious needs a dog could help with. When I would see articles about an emotional support pig or bunny, I would roll my eyes.

Then, my hubby was deployed to a war zone and significantly less than 2 years later we were navigating our life with this newest addition who has special needs. My eyes were opened. My son’s special needs aren’t obvious. He looks like a wholesome toddler, and physically he is. But he suffers from what we make reference to being an invisible illness. His brain and senses usually do not connect properly, causing lots of issues, one being complete meltdowns which are almost uncontrollable unless we are able to find something to catch his attention, usually a fan or strobe light.

My friend, however, includes a dog who acts as an emotional support dog to her autistic child and I saw how my son immediately attached to her. He calmed around her. I also saw that dog do the same thing with anyone who was simply emotional, including my hubby whom tried to cover up his ongoing inner battle. ESA Letter was never trained, but was really just chosen at the shelter after making a reference to her family.

I remember thinking that whatever could bring my two guys comfort and help will be amazing, even if it was a gecko. I started looking at sites and reading and was amazed to find how many people felt like I used to, these weren’t necessary, that emotional support animals are ludicrous or laughable. But they aren’t.

Every day, people have problems with invisible illnesses these amazing animals help with. They aren’t always trained, but certainly are a loving companion that may bring relief with their owners’ suffering and these folks and animals often are treated with prejudice. It can seem silly a turkey can bring comfort to a man on a plane, but we just don’t know and should refrain from thinking we do.