Don’t Pet Service Dogs. Here’s What Could Happen

Epoch Newsroom
4/13/2016
Updated:
12/13/2017

Flynn, a medical alert dog, is tasked with helping out 17-year-old Hailey Ashmore, who suffers from seizures.

He can open doors, get her parents, and alert her to oncoming seizures.

However, there was an issue when the dog was helping out Ashmore and a bystander started to pet the dog.

“I immediately told him to stop,” she said, referring to the person petting the dog, according to The Dodo.

However, in a moment of distraction, Flynn missed an opportunity to warn Ashmore of a seziure. It was too late.

“I thought I had 10 minutes to get safe, take medication and call somebody for help,” Hailey was quoted by The Dodo as saying. “Unfortunately, I didn’t and ended up getting a nasty rug burn.”

(Facebook)
(Facebook)

“Since Flynn was only about 7 months at the time of the accident, he was, and still is, learning to ignore people petting him,” Hailey added. “We understand our dogs are super cute, but they are really important for our safety and health.”

Canine Companions for Independence spokesperson Jessica Reiss said the dogs aren’t tools--they’re living things.

“They can be distracted,” she said.

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