My daughter, Lily, is about to celebrate her 14th birthday. At first glance, you might not appreciate the significance of that milestone. With her vibrant “rainbow” hair, ever-present sneakers, and the typical teenage accessory of a smartphone, she might seem like any other teen. But Lily’s journey is far from ordinary. She’s a fighter who has been facing autoimmune encephalitis for the last five years, a condition that has left her in precarious health on numerous occasions.
Life for Lily is delicate, and to fully embrace it, she requires additional support. For example, she depends on a port in her chest for monthly treatments and a feeding tube for ongoing nutrition—both of which can be hidden from view. However, her other crucial support, a seizure alert dog named Max, inevitably attracts attention.
While Lily takes great pride in Max and is usually happy to explain his role, it’s critical to understand that Max’s functions are just as essential as her medical devices. Unfortunately, many people fail to recognize this, which can put Lily at risk. If Max is distracted while not “tasking,” he might miss the alert that could prevent a seizure, leaving Lily vulnerable in unfamiliar surroundings.
Max underwent 18 months of training with a professional organization. He is capable of anticipating a seizure about five minutes beforehand, allowing Lily to take precautions. He is also trained to seek help if a seizure occurs unexpectedly. Since Max joined our family, Lily has not needed hospitalization due to seizure-related issues. His presence enables her to lead a more typical life, which gives me confidence as a parent.
However, the curiosity and entitlement of some people can hinder that.
Just this past week, I popped into a local store to grab a mouthguard for my son before his football practice. I initially told Lily she couldn’t stay to browse but changed my mind after considering how much independence Max offers her. I let her stay, and she assured me she’d call if she needed anything. Moments later, I received a frantic call from her. “Mom, they’re yelling at me! They won’t stop following me. All I said is that he’s a service dog. Mom, please help!”
When I rushed to find her, she pointed out two women who were berating her. Approaching them calmly, I asked what was going on. Instead of an explanation, they began hurling insults about Lily and Max being in the store. A third woman joined in, and the commotion triggered a seizure for Lily. Max instinctively lay on her, providing comfort and protection, while the original woman continued her tirade, oblivious to the impact her behavior was having.
With the help of security, we managed to get Lily to a safe location where we could recover. Reviewing the security footage, I noticed Lily had been trying to explain to two children why they couldn’t pet Max, but her calm demeanor quickly turned into panic as the adults continued to provoke her.
This situation is unacceptable. It’s one thing for children to approach with curiosity, but adults should understand the importance of respecting boundaries, especially when it comes to medical needs.
Max is a joyful dog who adores Lily and is treated like royalty at home. He enjoys cuddles, plays fetch, and has a stash of toys. However, when he’s wearing his service vest, he is on duty. The role of a service dog is not suitable for every pup, but Max thrives in it.
In the aftermath of this incident, charges were filed against the women who harassed us. However, the emotional toll was far greater. The very dog designed to support Lily’s independence inadvertently placed her in distress, not due to anything she or Max did, but because someone else could not comprehend the gravity of the situation. Now, both Lily and Max carry a new anxiety about the world around them.
Let this be a lesson: When someone asks you not to pet their service dog, it’s not out of selfishness; they are simply trying to keep their loved one safe.
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Summary
This article recounts a troubling incident where a mother’s daughter, Lily, faced harassment over her service dog, Max, while shopping. The situation escalated to the point of triggering a seizure for Lily, highlighting the critical nature of service dogs and the need for public understanding and respect for their roles. The author calls for awareness regarding service animals and the importance of boundaries in ensuring the safety of those who rely on them.