While there will always be those who abuse benefits of any kind, service dogs have come under the microscope lately. It's important to understand the way the program works.
Some questions I've heard: "Who are all these people walking around perfectly fine with these dogs that have blue service dog 'packs' or vests on them?" "Are they really disabled, or do they just like having their pet with them in pubic places and found this loophole?" "Aren't they supposed to be in a wheelchair or something?"
You're not alone if you're asking yourself these questions, but please consider something before you ask the young (or old) person with the service dog why the animal is by their side.
People who need service dogs come in all shapes and sizes, and not all of them use wheelchairs. Our country has no shortage of soldiers returning from wars fought on foreign soil who bear both visible and invisible wounds. The invisible scar, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is a real thing. Though it didn't always bear this name, it has always been a real thing. Soldiers suffering from PTSD after World War I and World War II were called victims of "shell shock." The Vietnam era saw PTSD for what it was and began treating vets, but the stigma of having this invisible affliction while some of their squadmates had made the ultimate sacrifice often kept sufferers from seeking treatment.
As a result of education and public awareness, post-Vietnam veterans began seeking help more often. That being said, vets suffering PTSD who never seek help probably still outnumber those who do.
With this in mind, try to imagine a soldier first seeking help for an affliction that makes it nearly terrifying to leave home, terrifying to be in a crowd, terrifying to be exposed to loud noises, terrifying to be among strangers. He or she may have had to endure immense fear, not to mention embarrassment, just to find someone who can help with treatment.
Now imagine having this condition and hearing about a program that could allow you to re-enter society, maybe walk down a street again with confidence, and go to work, to a movie, to church and, in the process, to gain a nonjudgmental constant companion that would love them unconditionally and help them with their nightmares.
Sound too good to be true? Unfortunately, it turns out it probably is for now. Why? Because veterans with service dogs are not really accepted as truly "needing" them yet. The program is too novel. Seeing an apparently "normal" man or woman walking a service dog into a public place is just too much, too intriguing, too anomalous for some people to handle. If that seemingly normal man or woman can bring a dog to the mall, why can't I? I think I'm going to ask what the problem is.