Original Article: https://blog.theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com/psa-service-dog/

We could all use a helping hand from time to time. In many cases, we look to our friends for the assistance we need, and that may include one of our best friends, our dog.

We all appreciate our pets and what they bring to our lives, but in some cases, those animals may mean even more. That is true for those who use service dogs because of a disability.

Lumpatronics regularly posts on social media, but in one particular case, she posted more than a picture. That young woman, Tessa Connaughton, wanted to help people understand service dogs a little better.

Tessa has autism and had a more recent diagnosis of epilepsy. She was only 20 at the time and living in San Francisco, when Raider, her service dog, did exactly what he was supposed to do.

Raider had been a part of her life for a couple of years, and when she needed him the most, he was always there for her. One day, Tessa fell down when she was at the store.

Raider Does What He Should Do

Although she was okay, Raider did what he was supposed to do and ran for help. He thought Tessa was having a seizure.

Fortunately, for Tessa, she was fine. Raider, on the other hand, was busy trying to get help from a nearby adult, but the woman didn’t understand what was being asked of her.

That stranger simply swatted the dog away and acted annoyed. That is when Tessa decided to post a PSA.

She said: “Don’t get scared, don’t get annoyed, follow the dog! If it had been an emergency situation, I could have vomited and choked, I could have hit my head, I could have had so many things happen to me.”

Many people commented how much they appreciated knowing what to do in such a situation. It helped those individuals, as well as many others who rely on their service dogs to care for them from day to day.

Unfortunately, Tessa passed away in 2019 due to epilepsy complications. Her message, however, has touched many lives, and since that time, continues to teach us all a very valuable lesson.

Source: The Animal Rescue Site Blog