I’m excited to share that I’ve officially begun the journey to apply for a service dog—a step that’s been years in the making, even if I didn’t realize it at first.
The first time I learned service dogs existed was on a field trip to a training facility when I was a small child. Back then, the dogs I met were trained for people with visible physical disabilities. As I grew older, I discovered that service dogs could help with all kinds of disabilities and health issues.
Secretly, I always felt a pang of envy toward people who had service dogs. At the time, I thought it was just because I wanted a dog to go everywhere with me. But looking back, it was more than that—my anxiety was overwhelming, and deep down, I yearned for a steady companion to help me through difficult moments.
Eventually, I was diagnosed with anxiety and autism. No professional ever suggested a service dog as an option for me, and for the longest time, I took that as a sign that I wasn’t “disabled enough” to qualify or benefit from one.
Everything shifted when I stopped attending live theatrical productions—something I’d always loved as a child. I had a panic attack on the way to a play and a meltdown before going to a loud restaurant. The physical pain of bright lights and loud noises became too much, and suddenly, I realized how much my sensory sensitivities were limiting my life.
After careful research, I found an organization that matches individuals with dogs and helps them with training. I worried that working full-time might make me seem like I didn’t “need” the support of a service dog, but I decided to leave that decision in their hands and submit my application anyway.
The paperwork was mostly what I expected: documentation of my disabilities, forms from my therapist about how my anxiety impacts my life. What surprised me was the request to film myself with my cats. This was a challenge—my cats rarely sit together without pouncing on each other! On my second attempt, I captured a brief, peaceful video of the three of us on the couch, which probably made my cats look much calmer than they actually are.
I also needed to ask management at work for permission to film my workspace. It was awkward explaining why I needed to do this when I don’t “look” physically disabled, but my managers were supportive and understanding.
Now that I’ve submitted my videos and documentation, the next step is to meet with the trainers at their office. I’m both nervous and excited about what’s to come—especially about the idea of eventually bringing a service dog to work.
Part of me worries about how my coworkers will feel about having a dog in the office, even though I’ve learned that a coworker brought her dog in before. I hope everyone will be understanding, since this is truly important for my wellbeing.
As I move forward with this process, I’ll continue to share updates. If you have questions or have been through a similar journey, I’d love to hear from you.
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