What do you say when questioned?
You will be reading personal answers to that question from myself and some of my friends as to what we say when approached in public. Some will tell you what their disability is and will explain about their dog. Others won't because it is very personal to us all and sometimes not easy to talk about. The ADA also says we don't have to acknowledged that information, so it is up to the individual.
Went to get some Ice cream and this young man came up and said that Tagert would have to leave because if the health department saw him they would shut them down. So I said, He is a service dog. Well he did not understand that and said he would still have to leave. So I handed him a Q&A paper and he shut up quick and left.
On a good day I say, "Tagert is a seizure alert dog and explain what that means and what he does for me." On a bad day when I am not feeling well I say, "He is a service dog and helps me with a disability."
When it is a Manger etc., I say "He is a service dog, and yes he can be here," which of course brings the "What is a service dog?" question. I then say he helps me with a disability and has the same rights as a guide dog, which of course they still look at you with that blank look on their face. I either explain service dogs and that there are quite a few kinds, or I just leave it at that and hand them a copy of the Q&A page.
If I'm in a space where I don't want to be bothered, I just say, "Molly helps me with a couple of disabilities I have." That is usually enough to shut people up. If I am feeling gregarious, I may say, "Molly functions as a medical alert dog." Then I explain that Molly alerts to a change in my condition. On occasion, when I am feeling daring, I say, "I am bipolar and Molly alerts me to changes in my mood."
It depends entirely on how I feel when the question is posed to me. If it is just simply curiosity, I will gladly explain, especially since that provides me an opportunity to educate someone who is genuinely interested. However, if it is put to me in a way that I perceive as a "challenge"
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