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Janelle Richard
ENG 112-78
Instructor Connie Douglas
Polished Round Table
25 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

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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 need 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 Dogs") and the

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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 hold a view built upon
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 voice 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 medical
personnel, and the voice of the government all have shared what they needed to share on the
subject of service animals. After they have left the "parlor," there are still questions which
remain unanswered. Will the guidelines set forth by the ADA be enforced and respected by both
the owners of service animals and the owners of businesses? Are there other issues besides
hygiene that should be a concern to those who are around service animals? Is there an even better
solution than turning to the assistance of a service animal? These questions will have multiple
answers, and these answers may cause even more questions to arise. Regardless, the 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.