Service animals and emotional support animals (ESAs) are becoming a staple of Winthrop’s campus, and not only do they make daily life easier for their handlers, they brighten the lives of all the students they meet. This year, the Johnsonian will be spotlighting the different animals of Winthrop and discussing the ways students should interact with people and their furry companions.
The Animal of the Month for August is Roux, a female Boston Terrier who works as a service dog for Jeanne-Marie “J.M.” Martin. Roux is perhaps best known for being so well-trained that she can often be seen walking at Martin’s side without a leash. Roux is described as a “friendly little spitfire” who loves people, being on campus, and socializing.
“Living with an animal on campus is interesting because you get a sense of notoriety from everyone. Winthrop is very animal friendly, so people get very excited to see Roux, especially when she works, so it’s helped me branch out a lot socially,” Martin says.
As a service dog, Roux is a vital part of Martin’s daily life, and they are enthusiastic about raising awareness of how living with service animals differs from living with ESAs or pets, and just how important animals are to their handlers’ well-being. “If I didn’t have her, it would be kind of like not having my dominant hand. I could kind of function but it wouldn’t really be living well.”
While there are many benefits to having a service dog on campus, problems arise when people do not respect that Roux is working or try to take pictures and videos of her without Martin’s permission. “A good rule of thumb for people who have service animals or ESAs is if you want to take a picture, please ask first. It’s really creepy to have a picture of me somewhere that I don’t know of, and find out later.”
Martin acknowledges that people have innocent intentions, but distracting a service dog can be disruptive and potentially dangerous, sometimes causing the dogs to miss alerts and leave their handlers vulnerable. Students should always ask permission before petting any dog, and avoid distracting service dogs that are working. “By bothering or pestering them, you’re not only making a bit of a jerk of yourself, but you’re also hindering their handler’s ability to go about their business and do normal human things. I can’t tell you how many times I get stopped in doors or in the food court because someone wants to touch Roux without asking and it distracts her.”
If you would like to recommend a Winthrop animal for Animal of the Month, contact A&C editor Laura Munson at munsonl@mytjnow.com.
