Service dogs are true blessings that provide a wide array of services for their owners based on their disability.
They can provide preventative alerts for people with epilepsy and dysautonomia. They can do small household tasks like turning lights on and off or providing stability for their owners while standing or walking.
For those with PTSD they can provide emotional support to help them in triggering situations.
However, there are many people out there who fraudulently claim their pets are service or emotional support animals. These trained animals can cause disturbances in businesses or on public transportation.
They can also be a danger or distraction to trained service dogs on-the-job.
According to a 2016 survey by the California-based Canine Companions for Independence, over 77% of its graduates have had an encounter with a fraudulent or out-of-control service dog and more than half have had their dog bitten, snapped at or distracted by one of these dogs.
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When fraudulent service animals cause trouble they make life a lot more difficult for people with legitimate, trained service dogs, because business owners think they will cause a disturbance.
Tumblr user TrainingFaith, who has a Miniature American Shepherd trained as my medical alert and psychiatric service dog, perfectly explained the situation on her blog.
The good news is that lawmakers are starting to crack down on fake service dogs. Twenty-one states have recently passed laws that punish those who falsely claim their pets are service and support animals.
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In Arizona, those who "fraudulently misrepresent" service animals are subject to a $250 fine.
The big problem is that there is no uniform nationwide certification program or registration process for service animals so people can scam a nonexistent system. Plus, it's easy for people to go online and buy "service dog" harnesses and vests for their pets so business owners and law enforcement have no idea which animals are legitimate.
"If you have a legitimate condition and the dog, or whatever animal, within reason, helps alleviate it, that's great, this is America," Arizona state senator John Kavanagh said according to NBC News.
"But if you're just someone who needed to have Pookie around because you're upset when she's not there, that is not okay."
Parents of young children get more time with them if they work from home.Photo credit: Canva
Juicy subject matter
Giphy from The Blacklist.
We could start a rumor.
Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.