Richard 1

Janelle Richard
ENG 112-78
Instructor Connie Douglas
Round Table Draft
27 October 2014
Voices at the Table
Perhaps one of the most accurate analogies used when describing an argument comes
from American literary theorist, Kenneth Burke. Burke compares any argument to a "parlor," or
sitting room, in which many individuals travel through over a seemingly indefinite amount of
time to discuss numerous issues and topics. However, a solid conclusion is never reached, even
to those who have discussed these said issues in the past. Thus, these discussions will forever
continue, even after each person has said what they have to say. Within every argument are
"voices," groups of individuals with differing viewpoints and stances on a specific matter. One
question in particular which has been posed and contains a diverse amount of "voices" is: what
are the advantages and disadvantages of service dogs?
As documented by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), "Service animals are
defined as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with
disabilities." ("Service Animals") The tasks performed by service dogs can range from
navigating someone who is blind, to reminding someone suffering from a mental illness to take
their prescribed medication or medications. The aid of a service animal can greatly benefit an
individual who has tried all other options and solutions pertaining to whatever disability they

Richard 2
may have, yet still have not found something which works for them. Nonetheless, there are still
those who believe turning to a service animal is not the right option, and one should instead
focus on therapy, strictly sticking to medication, or even a combination of both. Three major
voices come to the table when debating the use of service animals. There is the voice of the
individual who owns a service dog, the voice belonging to medical personnel, and the voice of
the government. Each voice holds differing beliefs and ideas when considering the advantages
and disadvantages of assistance from a service animal.
Conceivably the "loudest" voice on the matter of service animals are those who have
chosen to go down the path of adopting a service dog or training their own to become a service
animal. There are many disabilities and disorders service dogs are able to be trained for in order
to help an impaired individual, including diabetes, epilepsy, depression, seizures, and those
suffering from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Included in this particular voice is a
woman named Jenny who happens to suffer from PTSD. Jenny shares her story of overcoming
her disorder on a website entitled Canines 4 Hope, an organization which provides service dogs
and service dog training for those who need it. Although Jenny was once not able to go anywhere
in public without having "a full blown panic attack," ("Jenny's Story") her service dog Kierra
was able to significantly help Jenny to overcome her intense fear of being in public. Kierra even
made it possible for Jenny to re-enroll in school, something she was too afraid to do before
Kierra came along. Jenny says, "Since Kierra has come into my life everything has changed. I
feel so much better about myself. My depression is much more manageable... I could not be
happier with my decision to get a service dog." (Jenny's Story)
A second individual who has turned to the assistance of a service dog is Amelia
Schwiebert, a college student suffering from diabetes. Amelia has started her own personal blog,

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Dog Goes to College, with the intent of sharing information and offering inspiration, as well as
to help people to take the first step in considering what a service dog might offer for them or a
loved one. Amelia's service dog, Merlin, underwent intensive training to be able to assist Amelia
with her diabetic needs. Merlin is able to alert Amelia to high and low blood sugar, as well as
low blood pressure. Merlin is also trained to get other people, or "third party alert" (Schwiebert)
when needed, and he is additionally able to do deep pressure therapy by leaning on Amelia and
nudging her in different locations. Amelia dedicates a section of her blog to explaining the pros
and cons of owning a service animal as she sees them. Several of the pros Amelia considers
when it comes to owning a service dog are assistance with disability, better health, greater
independence, and peace of mind. As for the cons, Amelia acknowledges the issues of access
confusion, assess issues, access denial, and constant remarks and questions. Both Amelia and
Jenny, along with the large amount of others who own service dogs, share the viewpoint that
service animals are one of the most beneficial and effective ways to treat varying disorders and
disabilities.
When discussing the voice belonging to medical personnel, it can be seen the viewpoint
differs slightly than that of the patient's voice. While the voice of the individual who owns a
service dog comes from personal experience, those in the medical field take a more statistical
point of view and form an opinion based on studies and observations which they or others have
found. A man who shares this voice is medical student Ben Green, who has conducted and
analyzed studies on the effects of service dogs and pet therapy. Although Ben could not see "any
benefit in the scheme," (Green) his opinion was later changed after observing first-hand the
effects on patients he was with in a hospital setting. Green used facts to support his claims that

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there are multiple benefits of service dogs, which provide a diverse range of people with the
opportunity for an improved quality of life.
Still, unlike the voice of the patient, Ben Green shares the viewpoint held by many other
medical personnel within this voice: the issue of hygiene. Whereas the owner of a service dog is
mainly concerned with the services their dog provides them and most likely shares a great bond
with their animal without the thought of any hygienic issues, those in the medical field see
issues. There are individuals who make up this voice in the medical field that believe animals are
vectors to transmit disease and bacteria when so many individuals pet their animals without
washing their hands. So even though studies have shown "simple interactions with our animal
friends... [aid in] lowering the levels of the stress hormone (cortisol) and increase the levels of
hormones that give a sense of happiness and bonding (oxytocin), energy (dopamine), that feeling
after you have done lots of exercise and enjoyed it (endorphin), [and] elation (phenethylamine),"
(Hardiman) the main concern lying in the voice of those in the medical field is the issue of
hygiene contributing to diseases and bacteria, which can cause some medical personnel to
suggest options other than the use of a service animal to their patients.

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Works Cited
Hardiman, Diane. "Animal-assisted Therapy in Mental Health." Society for Companion Animal
Studies. Society for Companion Animal Studies, 2010. Web. 25 Oct. 2014.

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Janelle Richard
ENG 112-78
Instructor Connie Douglas
Round Table Final
1 November 2014
Voices at the Table
Perhaps one of the most accurate analogies used when describing an argument comes
from American literary theorist, Kenneth Burke. Burke compares any argument to a "parlor," or
sitting room, in which many individuals travel through over a seemingly indefinite amount of
time to discuss numerous issues and topics. However, a solid conclusion is never reached, even
to those who have discussed these said issues in the past. Thus, these discussions will forever
continue, even after each person has said what they have to say. Within every argument are
"voices," groups of individuals with differing viewpoints and stances on a specific matter. One
question in particular which has been posed and contains a diverse amount of "voices" is: what
are the advantages and disadvantages of service dogs?
As documented by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), "Service animals are
defined as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with
disabilities." ("Service Animals") The tasks performed by service dogs can range from
navigating someone who is blind, to reminding someone suffering from a mental illness to take
their prescribed medication or medications. The aid of a service animal can greatly benefit an
individual who has tried all other options and solutions pertaining to whatever disability they

Richard 7
may have, yet still have not found something which works for them. Nonetheless, there are still
those who believe turning to a service animal is not the right option, and one should instead
focus on therapy, strictly sticking to medication, or even a combination of both. Three major
voices come to the table when debating the use of service animals. There is the voice of the
individual who owns a service dog, the voice belonging to medical personnel, and the voice of
the government. Each voice holds differing beliefs and ideas when considering the advantages
and disadvantages of assistance from a service animal.
Conceivably the "loudest" voice on the matter of service animals are those who have
chosen to go down the path of adopting a service dog or training their own dog to become a
service animal. Those included in this voice are sufferers of various disabilities and disorders,
such as post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), epilepsy, diabetes, depression, and seizures, to
name a few. Those who use power or manual wheelchairs can also find significant help in a
service dog as well. Individuals who "have balance issues, have various types of autism, need
seizure alert or response, need to be alerted to other medical issues like low blood sugar, or have
psychiatric disabilities" ("Service Dogs") would all be considered in the voice of those who may
use the assistance of a service animal.
The viewpoint shared among those included in this voice is that service dogs are an
effective and beneficial alternative to turn to when no other options have had successful
outcomes, or if someone needs extra assistance than what they are already receiving. There are
many individuals who suffer from an array of disorders or disabilities as discussed previously
who needs more help than what is given to them through medication, therapy, and other means
of relief. Specifically one individual who holds this voice is Marc, a man who "suffered a
traumatic brain injury that left him with severe neurological damage" ("Psychiatric Service

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Dogs") and the inability to speak. Although Marc had undergone numerous surgeries and an
immense amount of hours of rehabilitation, he exhibited very little excitement for life and his
future. However, his neurologist suggested him to consider a service dog to help him with the
seizures Marc suffered. After being paired up with a German Shepherd service dog named
Dillon, Marc's "bouts of depression have improved, and his energy level [has] totally increased."
("Psychiatric Service Dogs") Marc is only one of very many who hold this viewpoint and have
found an effective solution by turning to a service animal.
When discussing the voice belonging to medical personnel, those to be considered are
various types of doctors, nurses, and therapists. While individuals who own service animals hold
their voice based on personal experience, those in the medical field's view is dependent on the
research behind the benefits of service animals. There are a vast amount of studies which
highlight the benefits of service animals, and various medical personnel suggest them as options
for those who may need it, such as the neurologist who pointed Marc in the direction of a service
dog. Professionals in health care are well-equipped with the knowledge backed up by extensive
research to direct their patients down the path of obtaining a service animal.
The viewpoint held by those in the medical field is service animals provide physiological
benefits, psychological benefits, and social benefits. However, these medical personnel also hold
the belief that animals of any kind may pose risks to the health of an individual. There are those
who make up this voice that believe animals are vectors to transmit disease and bacteria when so
many individuals pet their animals without washing their hands. However, this does not alter the
viewpoint held by this voice that service dogs provide numerous benefits to their owners. Studies
have shown that "pet interaction, whether active or passive, tends to lower anxiety levels in
subjects, and thus decrease the onset, severity, or progression of stress-related conditions.

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Furthermore, it is thought that the reduction in blood pressure achieved through dog ownership
can be equal to the reduction achieved by changing to a low salt diet or cutting down on
alcohol." ("The Health Benefits") The results from other studies based on the psychological
benefits of owning a service animal have shown that pets are immensely important and play an
extremely supportive role in lowering depression and loneliness, while also giving
companionship and a need for responsibility to their owners. There are a vast amount of studies
which prove the benefits given to the owners of service animals, and this research is why various
types of medical personnel recommend service dogs to patients suffering with assorted
disabilities and disorders.
The third and final voice to be heard is the voice of the government. This includes the
laws which have been made to protect the rights of those who own service dogs. One of the main
disadvantages pointed out by the voice of those who own service dogs is the hassle sometimes
present of bringing their service dog into a place of business. There have been numerous cases
where owners of service dogs have been denied service from a business or businesses who argue
that animals of any kind are not allowed on the premises. This is where the government steps in.
The Americans with Disabilities Act protects those who require a service dog to be with them
when venturing out into public. Under the ADA, State, and local governments, businesses, and
nonprofit organizations that serve the public generally must allow service animals to accompany
people with disabilities in all areas of the facility where the public is normally allowed to go.
(Service Animals)
The ADA also outlines specific rules and regulations related to service animals.
According to the ADA, "service animals must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered, unless these
devices interfere with the service animal's work or the individual's disability prevents using these

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devices." ("Service Animals) These guidelines set forth by the ADA ensure that those who come
into contact with an owner's service animal in public can be assured a safe experience. While the
ADA protects the rights an owner has to bring their service animal with them into places of
business, it also provides the owners of these businesses a peace of mind that they will not have
to worry about these service animals possibly harming another individual or the property itself.
Although the voice of the government does not set forth their opinions or views on whether or
not they feel owning a service dog is a "good" idea, they certainly play a significant role in
making sure the patients with service animals are treated fairly when in public.
In the end, the voice belonging to the patient with a service dog, the voice of those in the
medical field, and the voice of the government all have shared what they needed to share on the
subject of service animals. As they leave the parlor, there are still questions which remain
unanswered. Will the guidelines set forth by the ADA be enforced and respected by both the
owner of a service dog and the owner of a business? Are there other issues besides hygiene that
are a concern to those who are around service animals? Is there even a better solution than
turning to the assistance of a service animal? These questions may have multiple answers, and
these answers may cause even more questions to arise. Regardless, these voices who we have
heard from have put forth their differing points of view, and it is up to the reader to decide for
themselves what they feel the advantages and the disadvantages of service animals are after
hearing from others at the table.

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Works Cited
Hardiman, Diane. "Animal-assisted Therapy in Mental Health." Society for Companion Animal
Studies. Society for Companion Animal Studies, 2010. Web. 25 Oct. 2014.
"Psychiatric Service Dogs, Psychiatric Dog Training." Canines 4 Hope. Canines4Hope.com, n.d.
Web. 1 Nov. 2014.
"Service Animals." ADA.gov. United States Department of Justice, 12 July 2011. Web. 1 Nov.
2014.
"Service Dogs." Assistance Dogs International. Assistance Dogs International, Inc., n.d. Web. 1
Nov. 2014.
"The Health Benefits of Companion Animals." National Park Service. U.S. Department of the
Interior, n.d. Web. 1 Nov. 2014.