As the saying goes, “A dog is a man’s best friend.”  Many people love pets.  Animals are like therapy for many people.  Many say having a pet actually expands a person’s life expectancy.  For animal lovers, their pets become part of the family.  When pets pass away, the owners grieve almost like the pet is a person.  For many people, a pet serves as a companion.  Either you love pets or you avoid them at all costs.

For many people who have disabilities, pets are a source of companionship.  Pets, mainly dogs, can be trained to actually physically and emotionally help people with disabilities.  Service dogs and their owners go through intense training.  The dogs are trained to do a variety of things based on the owner’s needs.  If a person has a visual impairment, a dog can be trained to guide the person around.  If the person has a seizure disorder, a dog can be trained to detect oncoming seizures.  If the person is in a wheelchair, a dog can be trained to pick up things the person dropped or push automatic door buttons and elevator buttons.  Dogs are also being trained to work with people who have autism and anxiety.  They have a calming effect.  I think it’s absolutely amazing what dogs are able to do.

Personally, I’m not an animal person at all.  I admit, most animals scare me.  I think it’s because if an animal jumps on me, I can’t protect myself.  Although I’ve never had that happen, I shy away from most animals.  When I’m alone walking around the neighborhood and there’s a dog loose in a yard, I’ll likely speed by the house hoping the dog doesn’t chase me.  I’ve had a dog start following me a couple of times, but the owner saw it and came to the rescue.

It’s just not outside dogs I’m afraid of.  Inside pets, such as small dogs and cats, scare me too.  I just don’t like animals crawling on me or rubbing up against me.  I don’t like that I can’t get away from them.  Some of my relatives have dogs.  When I go to their houses for family gatherings, I have to very  vigilant of my surroundings at  all times because when I visit other people’s houses,  I’m usually in my manual chair which means I can’t myself if a dog would jump on me.  I know that my sister and her future husband are planning to get a dog someday, so it’s something I’ll have to get used to.

Years ago, my sister and I each had a rabbit.  They were kept in the garage and we played with them outside.  With some practice, I got to the point where I was able to hold my rabbit on my lap and pet it for a few minutes.  Even then, someone had to be right there in case the rabbit started moving or I got spastic (jumpy).

Many people have suggested that I look into getting a service dog.   While I like the of having a companion and essentially being a “mom” to a living being, I don’t foresee myself getting a dog anytime in the near future.   Aside from my fear of them, pets are a lot of work.  I’m not sure that I’d want to share the time I have people assisting me with my cares with an animal.

Animals are great for some people, but for me, they cause anxiety.  Maybe down the road, my feelings toward animals, but for now, I avoid animals whenever possible!

***The views expressed here are strictly those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of InControl Wisconsin, the Network or any of our sponsors.