When You See a Service Dog by Itself

Photo: Max Pixel

Melissa Hope, a Twitter user, recently posted a PSA that got a lot of attention. When Melissa face-planted to the ground, her service dog sprang into action to look for help. While Melissa was totally fine and had just stumbled, her dog was trained to find help in the event she has a seizure, which is what the dog thought had happened.

The service dog was shooed away from a woman who did not understand that the dog was trying to find help for its owner. This is when Melissa took to the Internet to post a very blunt PSA about service dogs and what it means when they approach you without their owner.

In the PSA, Melissa explains her situation and follows up with why service dogs need to be taken more seriously. “Don’t get scared, don’t get annoyed, follow the dog! If it had been an emergency situation, I could have vomited and choked, I could have hit my head, I could have had so many things happen to me,” Melissa wrote.

my classmate’s service dog came up to me alone outside and i said “where’s your mom?” he ran off and i ran with him. his mom was having a seizure on the sidewalk and i was there to put my sweater under her head to protect her.

always follow a service dog https://t.co/oruNJDW2YK

— gretchen mothman ph.d (@solelymoving) June 18, 2018

Many people took to social media to support Melissa’s PSA. They encouraged people to learn about service dogs. Some people even shared their own stories.

Even local pet associations have commented on the PSA with their full support!

This could save a life – if a service dog approaches you without their owner, please assume that their owner is in danger and that the dog is looking for somebody to help them out 🐾💙 https://t.co/rrjr7p9u6u

— Pet Connection 🐾 (@Pet_Connection) June 18, 2018

Most, if not all, service dogs will have some form of uniform or special harness on. It’s usually a bright colored vest. If seen without their owner, they are probably seeking help because it’s what they’re all trained to do!

It’s evident that Melissa’s PSA was a blatant yet helpful wake-up call. Many people online didn’t even realize that being approached by a service dog may signify that their owner is in danger.

Meet Nigel, a service dog in training and the unofficial mascot of #ire18. He is the sweetest thing and we all love him! @AndreaMcCarren pic.twitter.com/swAf1vspST

— Meghan Goth (@MeghanWesley) June 15, 2018

We can’t imagine why anyone would shoo away a dog in general, but now we’re all that much more informed! Thank you, Melissa!

What did you think about Melissa’s service dog PSA? Share this story to remind others to look out for others by responding appropriately when they see a service dog by itself.