Rachel Lyons, a resident of Ottawa accompanied by her service dog Geneva, shares her experience in this First Person account. For more personal stories like this from CBC, please refer to the FAQ section.
Each visit to the supermarket presents a challenge for me due to my disabilities, which manifest as panic attacks and dizziness in response to the bright lights, bustling aisles, and urgency to leave the overwhelming environment swiftly.
Geneva, my service dog, always accompanies me donning his mobility harness labeled with “service dog” and “do not distract,” providing me with a sense of calmness as I navigate through my shopping list.
People often approach us with the desire to pet Geneva. I politely request, “Please don’t pet him. He’s working,” and continue my shopping, aided by my noise-canceling headphones that make the world more navigable with music playing in the background.
However, not all encounters unfold smoothly.
During a previous visit to a grocery store, after declining a stranger’s attempt to pet Geneva, I was taken aback when the same individual confronted me abruptly as I stood up, expressing anger towards me.
Feeling bewildered, I removed my headphones only to be met with her accusatory tone claiming I was disrespectful and had mistreated a dog lover.
Being confronted by an irate stranger in a grocery store aisle was a terrifying experience. I repetitively uttered “goodbye” and “walk away” until she eventually left me alone.
After the woman departed, I noticed my body shaking with weak legs and a suffocating sensation. Seeking solace, I found a quiet corner, sitting on the floor with Geneva lying across my lap to alleviate a panic attack, one of the tasks he’s trained to perform by applying pressure to my body and calming my nervous system.
It took half an hour before I felt composed enough to stand, with a lingering fear of encountering the woman again during the remainder of my shopping trip.
