Meeting Moans

Last week I had several meetings across campus with people who didn't know me or the fact that I have a service dog who often accompanies me. I arrived at one meeting early when only a few people were there and got settled at the table with Morey underneath it. More people arrived and the meeting got underway. Suddenly, Morey made one of his moaning noises as he changed positions under the table. I saw several people sitting near me look around for the source of the noise as it was rather unusual to hear in a professional meeting. I wanted to say something, but the conversation at the other end of the conversation was continuing and it seemed inappropriate to interrupt so I just let it go. It happened a second time and the person sitting next to me (who knew me and Morey) turned and smiled at me while everyone else at my end of the table looked in my direction with surprise. At that point I felt I had to say something (to preserve my reputation if nothing else!) and so I addressed the table saying, "I have a service dog with me who is under the table. I apologize for the noises he is making and just wanted to let you all know that it is coming from the dog." Most of the people laughed, glad to have made sense of what they were hearing. Of course, after that Morey was quiet but I felt better knowing that people weren't thinking that I was moaning and groaning!

 I typically let people who are sitting next to me know that I have a service dog with me just so they aren't surprised by movement of the occasional touch under the table (once again wanting to avoid any thoughts of impropriety!). I feel strange announcing to the entire group that I have a service dog with me but after this last experience, maybe in the future that is something I will include in my introduction!