SSD arguments on TT 💔
honestly, I cannot even scroll through ESSA content without every 5 vids being smth along the lines of "ESSAs can't task!" "SSDs invalidate real service dogs!" "SSDs aren't real they can't do service!" "SSDs distract real service dogs! ∞g
" FIRST OF ALL. SSDs are for either a) people who are eligible and are unable to/have a service dog, or b) are for disabled individuals.
COMFORT or AIDING A DISABILITY IN ANY SHAPE OR FORM, IS A SERVICE. EVEN THOUGH YOUR PLUSH CANT MOVE ITS STILL PROVIDING A SERVICE FOR YOU.
secondly, and I see this argument a lot, even from people in the do that are assistance dog handlers, is that "ESSAs/SSDs distract real service dogs". And this never wrapped around my head- while yes if a kid is throwing their plushie at your service dog or barking at it pretending the plush is reactive it's completely reasonable to say so, however that would have been a singular experience and does not account for the whole ESSA community, and if you as a service dog handler are being irritated and claiming that a CHILD CARRYING/WALKING A STUFFED PLUSHIE is somehow "distracting" your "service dog" then your service dog should not be allowed public access yet because clearly public distractions are a no go for you guys DESPITE a fully trained service dogs job is to IGNORE ALL DISTRACTIONS.
lastly I often see people harassing others in the TikTok ESSA community about their plush having 'service dog' patches and how it's "taking a mick out of real service dogs" which is completely not true. A Velcro patch on a plushie will not and i GUARANTEE you, destroy assistance dog reputation. It is fabric. Fabric.
FABRIC ‼️ and you don't even know if the handler needs a real service dog, MAYBE THEY DO??? MAYBE THEIR ASSISTANCE DOG JUST PASSED AND THEY NEED SUPPORT. HONESTLY it drives me mad, like PLEASE let people breathe istg it's overreacting.
P.S. i know the term DSSA exists and is valued in the community but it just goes to show how WORDS start stupid beef within communities. SSD=DSSA it's the same thing. If one is valid, how come a NAME or Velcro patch be 'destroying you and your service dogs reputation. It's silly and it's fcking ridiculous
