Next week, my daughter, Lily, will turn 14. At first glance, you might not realize the miracle that this milestone represents. With vibrant “unicorn-colored” hair, her trusty Converse sneakers, and a cell phone that rarely leaves her hand, Lily seems like any other teenager. However, she is far from typical; she’s a fighter—a fighter who has spent the last five years grappling with autoimmune encephalitis, a condition that has caused her body to attack her brain, along with a mitochondrial disorder that has nearly claimed her life multiple times.
Lily’s life is delicate, and to make the most of it, she relies on several essential supports. She has a port in her chest for monthly infusions and a tube in her stomach for constant nutrition—tools that are discreet and don’t require constant explanations. But her other support, a seizure alert dog named Max, inevitably draws attention.
While Lily takes immense pride in Max and is always willing to share his story, his role is just as crucial as her medical equipment. People are no more entitled to approach Max than they are to touch the tube connected to Lily’s stomach. Unfortunately, many do not grasp this, putting Lily’s safety at risk. If Max isn’t “tasking,” he may miss the cues needed to alert Lily, which could lead to her experiencing a seizure in an unfamiliar environment.
Max underwent 18 months of rigorous training from a professional agency. He can sense when Lily is about to seize—usually about five minutes in advance—and alerts her, enabling her to take precautions. Additionally, he is trained to seek help if a seizure occurs unexpectedly. Since he joined our family, Lily has avoided hospitalizations related to seizures, allowing her to enjoy a more normal life and giving me the peace of mind to let her be independent.
However, the curiosity and sense of entitlement from some individuals can jeopardize that independence—and it is incredibly frustrating.
Just last Friday, I ran into a local store to grab a mouthguard for my son before his football practice. As we strolled past the jewelry section, Lily asked if she could stay and look around. Initially, I hesitated but then remembered my hope for her growing independence with Max by her side, so I agreed. Lily assured me, “I’ll call if I need you.” Moments later, I received a frantic call from her, crying, “Mama, they’re yelling. They won’t stop following me. All I said is she’s a service dog. Mama, help!”
When I reached her, she pointed to two women who had been harassing her. I approached them calmly, inquiring about the situation. Instead of offering an explanation, they erupted in a torrent of profanity, berating both Lily and Max. Another woman joined in, and in that chaotic moment, Lily experienced a seizure. Max instinctively lay over her, providing comfort and safety, while the original woman continued her tirade. Her own children looked on in confusion and fear.
Store security intervened, helping me get Lily to a safe space. As we reviewed the security footage, we saw two children approaching Max. Lily was calmly explaining that he shouldn’t be petted, but things escalated from there, creating a situation that could have been disastrous. It’s unacceptable that an adult would disregard a child’s boundaries or medical necessities.
Please, I urge you: do not touch a service dog, and educate your children to respect that boundary as well. Dogs like Max may be cuter than medical devices, but they serve an equally vital purpose. If they’re being distracted with pets and scratches, their attention is diverted from their person, which can have dire consequences.
Max is a joyful dog, the apple of Lily’s eye. He enjoys cuddling, sleeps beside her at night, and plays with his favorite toys. But when he’s wearing his vest, it’s time for serious business. Not every dog is suited for this important role, but Max is perfect for it.
After the incident in the store, we pressed charges against those who harassed Lily. However, the emotional impact was far more significant. The very dog meant to provide Lily with independence and safety inadvertently placed her in a frightening situation, not due to anything they did, but because someone else couldn’t recognize the dog’s vital role. Now, both Lily and Max carry a new fear of the world around them.
Let this serve as a lesson: when someone asks you not to interact with their service dog, they aren’t being selfish—they’re trying to protect a life.
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