EDUCATING ABOUT LIFE WITH A SERVICE ANIMAL
By Shuana Niessen
Erin Strueby ( BEd / BKin ' 20 ) has a passion for working with students with exceptional needs . But teaching wasn ’ t Strueby ’ s career goal when she first came to the University of Regina ( U of R ). After being recruited to the U of R Cougar ’ s Track and Field team , she started out as a Kinesiology student . Teaching became her goal through working in the U of R Summer Sports School ( SSS ) as a camp leader .
“ Through SSS , I discovered that I really enjoy working with children , building relationships , and teaching new games and skills ,” says Strueby . After her second year of SSS , Strueby decided to do a joint degree , beginning her Education program while also completing her Kinesiology program . Because Summer Sports School had given her an opportunity to work with children of all abilities , Strueby says she , “ developed a true passion for working alongside children with exceptional needs .” She thus decided to complete a Certificate of Extended Studies in Inclusive Education . Strueby says , “ Although becoming a teacher was not where I thought I would end up , I am incredibly happy with the
( L-R ) Stella and Erin ( Photo credit : Shuana Niessen )
path I ended up on and cannot wait to start my career as a teacher .”
However , Strueby has concerns about her career path as a teacher because Strueby herself is a person with an exceptional need : She requires the assistance of her service dog , Stella . Strueby ' s reasons for needing Stella are not immediately apparent to others : As a student , she has demonstrated academic proficiency having just finished her seventh year at the University of Regina and she is also a dedicated athlete , as seen in her competitive cross country and long distance running with the U of R Cougars for four years .
Strueby says , " Because my disability is not visible , I often get asked , ' Why do you need a service animal ?' I have also been asked , ' What is wrong with you ,' ' Are you blind or something ,' and ' Whose service animal are you holding ?' Fortunately , these questions do not easily offend me and I am able to respond in a way that provides people with further knowledge on service animals ."
In her public life , Strueby faces challenges and obstacles because of a lack of knowledge about the use of a service animal . For example , many public places do not know the difference between a service animal and a support / therapy animal . Strueby says , " According to the Saskatchewan Code of Human Rights , support or therapy animals do not have the same rights as service animals do , and are restricted access to many public places . I have often been denied access to places because people think my service animal is a support animal . Trying to explain the difference between a service animal ’ s role and a support / therapy animal ’ s role can be rather difficult when people are not open to understanding . This is where I have encountered many issues and struggles when I am trying to live everyday life ."
While Strueby turns many difficulties into opportunities to educate , she also experiences situations which can ' t be responded to . For instance , she says , " People have glared , whispered , and said ' I guess anyone can get a service animal for anything now-a-days ' or ' They seem to just let dogs everywhere .'”
Page 6