Do you really see the people and all of their issues that they are facing, or do you just see what we want you to see? Rarely! Do we let people see what is really going on in our lives or do we smile, a nod saying "we're fine", or "it's nothing" and keep going?

But in reality, most of us are dealing with our own issues inside that we don't want others to see. Wendi pictured above is one of my three dogs, however, she has one of the most important jobs out of all of my pets, she is a service dog! Something not seen a lot in the news, but that is because as a service dog one of her main goals is to go unnoticed by the public because she is not there for looks or petting she is out with me because she is working making sure that I am safe through the day and that if I have an episode she can jump to action and do her job.

There are several types of service dogs PSD (Psychiatric Service Dogs), Mobility Service Dogs, Hearing SD's, Autism SD's, Guide Dogs, Seizure Alert, Allergy Detection, and Diabetic Alert Dogs. I deal with one of those issues but, mine isn't as easy to hide as some, I deal with PTSD with severe anxiety and depression and I have a Service Dog that helps me through my daily life.

My service dog is a PSD or Psychiatric service dog so she isn't helping me with mobility or hearing, she is helping by detecting my panic attacks and when I have a panic attack she lays on my stomach and helps me to slow my breathing and if I am having asthmatic problems can bring me my inhaler.

She is a smaller dog so sometimes people believe that she is a fake because it is not as common to have a small service dog instead of a large dog but for my issue, she is a perfect size, it does cause problems occasionally though. Now I have been told many untrue things about my dog because she is smaller but then the main one that bothers me is because I have a service dog I am showing off of my disability like it's a prize.

However, that is not at all true, I am not proud that I have a disability and it doesn't make me unique. I felt like my life was over, I didn't want to leave my house I felt that my disability was ruining my life and sometimes I still feel like that, but when I first got my ESA (Emotional Support Animal) he helped me to see that even while I was struggling with my depression and anxiety he would be there for me.

That still didn't help however when I had to go out, I was anxious and scared that I would have a panic attack and that made me not want to leave the house or frankly even talk to anyone. Wendi saved my life! Service dogs are not a novelty they are here to do a job and regardless if you can see the disability or not if the dog is well behaved and not acting up, just leave them alone.

Now, I am not the main source for service dogs or what their duties are that would be the ADA, and they are an excellent source of information. I am just an owner and I did not look to own a service dog and it was not something that I was prepared for as I thought my life was over when I was diagnosed.

I am here just to show another side of a story that sometimes people don't realize I will leave with this closing thought. Have you ever seen the way your dog will look at you like they are staring into your soul? One of my favorite quotes is, “I think dogs are the most amazing creatures. They give unconditional love. For me, they are the role model for being alive.” -Gilda Radner.

My dogs are the reason that I'm alive. I have gone through some really rough patches, but whenever I was feeling down or just felt like my life was over my dogs were there for me, holding me, keeping me safe but most importantly giving me support when I thought I didn't have any. Dogs can do so much for someone, some, however, do more than any one person can imagine.

Sometimes we take advantage of their loving nature and we don't notice their true potential to be your partner because while we don't devote our lives to them, they devote their lives to use and give us unconditional love and compassion. I would never be able to do what I do today without my dogs, but most importantly I would not be able to live a fulfilled life without the support of Wendi and the help that she provides.

All service dogs are different and provide unique tasks that fit the owner and the disability but, the main thing I want people to understand is that when you see a service dog and they are working with their owner please leave them alone. I know that seeing a dog someplace that you wouldn't expect is exciting and you might be tempted to go up to the person and pet the dog or Oooh and Ahhh but, that can be dangerous for the owner because if the dog is distracted for even a moment and they miss a cue you could be putting the owner in serious danger.

We as a community just want to be left alone. Sometimes if our dog is not currently working or we feel that it is okay if you ask us if you can pet our dog we might allow it. Don't, however, get mad if we say no because we don't have to agree even if you ask.