Welcome to Service Dog Chronicles—a place where I share my personal journey with Rosie, my incredible service dog, and our fight for service dog rights. Over the past year and a half, Rosie and I have faced countless challenges—legal battles, public discrimination, and misunderstandings. Through this blog, I want to not only document our experiences but also provide support and resources for others who are walking a similar path.
Our Story
My name is Chris, and I live with PTSD and clinical depression. Rosie is my third service dog, and I can honestly say she has been a lifeline for me. She helps me with critical tasks, including tactile stimulation during moments of heightened anxiety, crowd control to reduce hyper-vigilance, and waking me from night terrors. These are tasks that make a huge difference in my daily life, and without her, navigating the world would be much more difficult.
But despite the vital role Rosie plays, we’ve faced numerous obstacles—ranging from public access denials to hurtful comments from officials who don’t fully understand what it means to rely on a service dog. It’s disheartening, but it’s also the reason I’ve become such a strong advocate for service dog rights.
Why I Started This Blog
Through Service Dog Chronicles, I want to share not just our struggles but also our victories, and the lessons we’ve learned along the way. This blog is a platform for raising awareness about the rights of service dog handlers, educating the public, and empowering others to stand up for themselves and their service dogs.
I know that Rosie and I aren’t the only ones facing these challenges. Every service dog handler has a story, and together, we can make sure those stories are heard.
What You Can Expect
On this blog, I’ll be writing about:
- Our personal experiences—from daily life with Rosie to navigating tricky public spaces.
- Legal rights and protections for service dog handlers under the ADA.
- Stories from other handlers who have triumphed over adversity.
- Resources to help you advocate for yourself, including complaint letter templates and legal advice.
- Positive moments—because there’s nothing quite like the bond between a service dog and their handler.
Join the Journey
Whether you’re a service dog handler, an advocate, or someone interested in learning more, I hope you’ll follow along with our story. Together, we can build a more informed and compassionate world, where service dog handlers like Rosie and me are treated with the respect and dignity we deserve.
If you’ve ever had an experience with your service dog that you’d like to share, or if you need help with a rights issue, feel free to reach out. This blog is about community, advocacy, and making sure that every service dog handler’s voice is heard.
Thank you for being here, and welcome to the journey.