Toxicity Within The Service Dog Community

[Abhean]

Over the years, I have noticed a lot of negativity and toxicity within the service dog community itself, particularly online. It seems like there's a constant battle over what makes a "legitimate" service dog, criticism over gear choices, and even personal attacks on handlers. Has anyone else experienced this?

• How do we differentiate between genuine concerns about the integrity of the service dog system and unnecessary gatekeeping?
• What can we do to foster a more supportive and less judgmental environment for all handlers, regardless of their disability or dog's training style?
• Are there positive examples or communities where this is being done well that we can learn from?

I'm curious to hear your thoughts and experiences. Let's keep this a constructive space for sharing ideas on how to improve our community as a whole.