Viral TikToker Gives a Candid POV of Daily Experiences with a Service Dog and It's Not Always Pleasant

A service dog is a medical professional. They are prescribed to their human like prescription medication to help them with whatever the medical condition is. There is a specific list of animals that are allowed to be official service animals and they must go through rigorous training starting as a pup. An emotional support animal, however, can basically be any animal, doesn't necessarily need training or a prescription, and is NOTHING like a service animal. They are also important and definitely help their humans, but they do not get the same kind of treatment as service animals—for example, they are not allowed inside of public places with no questions asked, they are still pets. However, anybody can buy a service dog vest online and claim their dog is a service animal, even though it was not trained to be one. This can cause huge problems. For example, if someone's service dog is being a good boy and working hard and doing its duty, but a non-trained dog pretending to be a service dog is there and then bites the real service dog, then that service dog automatically has to be retired. It is heartbreaking for the service dog owner and also dangerous, because they need their four-legged medical professional by their side, and it's not easy to get a service dog. 

Jake is a medical/cardiac alert dog and is trained through a program with his mother/patient, Haylee Noelle. He is with her 24/7 and she is constantly working with him to keep his medical training sharp. She shares this experience with her viewers on TikTok and shows a candid experience of what it's like to simply have to go about your day with a service animal. 

Explaining to People the Difference between ESA & SA

Don't get me wrong, ESAs are important—they definitely help with anxiety and stress, but they are not trained to alert you when, for example, you're about to have a panic attack or pass out from anxiety. If they were trained to do that, then they would be a service animal. But to bring an untrained dog into any establishment can be dangerous and unpredictable. 

Jake takes Noelle safely through her day going anywhere from the mall to the supermarket, even to dog events where he is still on duty as long as the vest is on. 

To the Mall with Your Service Dog

No Pets

Out to Eat with a Service Dog

People who don't need service animals might not understand what it's like to have to have one by your side all the time. It's not just the stress of having a living medical device with you always, but it's the constant interaction you have with people out and about. Some people are innocent and just are curious, others are ignorant and have no idea what a service animal does. Noelle, however, mostly shares positive and/or educational experiences she has out with her service dog. 

Real Time Alert

Stranger Asking Personal Medical Question

A lot of Noelle and Jake's videos are of Noelle educating passerbyers and showing the kind of alerts Jake does for her. Mostly, it's showing how much of a good working boy Jake is and it's definitely viral-worthy. 

Service Dog at Harry Potter world