I Refuse to Give My Dog's Seat to a Spoiled Child

Traveling can be exciting, but it often comes with its fair share of discomfort—cramped spaces, long delays, and tiredness. Whether it's a plane or a road trip, sharing a small space with others can add extra frustration, especially when personal space becomes a point of contention.

An unexpected seat dispute.

I'm disabled and truly need Lily, my assistance dog. In a recent flight, I'd booked the seat next to me for my dog. A lady demanded, “My baby boy needs that seat!” I refused and thought that was it.

But then, I was shocked when she started a dramatic display of sneezing and coughing. She even called the flight attendants over, hoping they would force me to move Lily or put her somewhere else.

The attendants were very polite. They asked if anyone around had any dog allergies and if so, they would move that person to a different seat. The woman looked shocked, but she quickly said “No,” even though it would have solved her so-called problem right then and there.

Flying with my assistance dog: an unexpected challenge.

While the staff walked away, the woman rolled her eyes and huffed. She kept muttering things like, “People don’t care about children anymore.”

Then she began questioning me in a rude way. She asked, “Why do you have that dog? You don’t look like you need her. You just wanted your pet on the flight, didn’t you?”

Her voice was loud enough for everyone around us to hear. It was so embarrassing. Still, I tried to stay calm and told her that Lily was a working dog, not just a pet.

Dealing with drama.

Things got worse when Lily let out a small cough. The woman screamed, claiming that Lily had growled at her and that she felt terrified to sit near such a “vicious” animal. The woman had been complaining nonstop for 45 minutes, and I was exhausted. Finally, the attendants moved her to a different seat, far away from us.

To my surprise, once she was gone, the staff apologized for the trouble. They even gave Lily some extra treats and praised her for being such a good dog. I felt relieved and grateful that the airline staff handled the situation so well. It’s sad that people still don’t understand how important assistance dogs are.

Thank you for sharing your story! Here are a few tips that can help you navigate through this unfortunate situation.

Tips for handling difficult situations when traveling with an assistance dog.

Traveling with an assistance dog can sometimes lead to uncomfortable encounters with uninformed or entitled individuals. While most people are respectful, situations like the one you faced on your flight can still happen. Here are some ways to handle such incidents calmly and effectively:

• Stay calm and assertive – Remaining composed, even in the face of rudeness, helps de-escalate the situation. Confidence in your rights can discourage further confrontation.
• Educate without engaging in arguments – If someone questions your need for an assistance dog, a short, factual explanation may help. However, you don’t owe anyone a justification beyond that.
• Involve the flight staff early – If a fellow passenger is making unreasonable demands or causing distress, inform the attendants. They are trained to handle such issues and ensure your comfort.
• Know your rights – Airlines are required to accommodate service animals. Understanding airline policies can empower you to advocate for yourself confidently.
• Document the situation if necessary – If someone becomes particularly hostile, taking notes or discreetly recording (if legal) may help in case you need to report the incident later.
• Focus on your well-being – Once the issue is resolved, don’t let negativity linger. Shift your focus to your journey and your assistance dog, who is there to support you.

While it’s unfortunate that some people still don’t understand the importance of service animals, handling these situations with patience and knowledge can make all the difference.