Campus in the Fall | Photo by Bethany Althauser | The Wright State Guardian
Wright State’s campus has fostered an environment that has the potential to put its students with service dogs at risk with misinformation.
Service dog questions
As a service dog handler, it is understandable that most people do not interact with dogs everyday and to some, it can be a shock to see a cute animal suddenly walking down the hall while on the way to class.
The rule of thumb is, “If you do not know, ask.” Generally, this is a great rule, especially with puppies on campus; however, the majority of the working service dogs on campus have vests with very clear signs.
The problem with this rule of thumb is that it assumes the handler has the time and energy to explain everything about their disability on the spot and is not coping with something that the dog may be actively helping with.
Curiosity is healthy, and the only way to learn is to ask, but take a moment to think first. If a handler does not appear disabled, “What is wrong with you?” is not a respectful way to find out what their service dog is for. However, asking, “What kind of tasks does he/she perform?” is a much more respectful way to find out.
If you see a working dog on campus, please do not stop the handler and ask to pet it or what breed it is or that your friend’s cousin’s neighbor’s wife has one just like it. People with disabilities are people trying to go about their day. Service dogs are not accessories but are more like medical equipment, and you would not ask to pet someone’s wheelchair.
A person with disabilities is so much more than their dog and would be happy to answer any respectful questions but would be even happier to talk about anything else. Remember, it is not a disabled person’s job to educate the general population on their disability, and no one is entitled to their information.
4 Paws
Wright State allows 4 Paws animals to socialize on campus with student volunteers; however, it lacks in doing its due diligence in protecting the working animals from misinformation and attacks.
I cannot take my working service dog to the dog park unless no one else is in it, and if there is a 4 Paws dog in my path to class, we now need to find a new path because on multiple occasions, my service dog has been bitten, barked at or humped by 4 Paws dogs while their student handler tries their best to get the dog under control.
4 Paws is a great organization, and having them at Wright State is great. It is great for other students to interact with furry friends once in a while, and it is great for the dog’s socialization, but it poses a threat to people with disabilities and their working dogs.
Wright State has a responsibility to keep all of its students safe, but from broken elevators, faulty and extremely heavy doors and the spread of service dog misinformation, the consideration for people with disabilities on campus falls far short.
