HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- A long lanky figure lays quietly under the desk inside the Hanscom Air Force Base Fire Department dispatch room.
Bentley, a full-time service dog, is ready to assist owner Dina Safa, a Hanscom AFB fire department dispatcher.
“I’ve been a dispatcher for almost 14 years,” said Safa. “With all the calls I have taken, the anxiety kind of builds up, and Bentley is there to help with that.”
Bentley began life as a racing greyhound. After he was retired from racing, he received specialized training to become a medical service dog.
“I picked him with a contingency that he would train on the farm to race and then be re-trained as a service dog when he retired,” said Safa.
Safa followed Bentley’s journey starting when the dog was just three months old. She was finally able to bring him home last December.
Even though Bentley has only been with Safa for about nine months, they have developed a special bond.
“I can’t even leave the room without him standing and looking for me,” Safa said, “Sometimes I can’t even go to the bathroom alone.”
Bentley’s primary mission is deep pressure therapy. He uses his body weight to help calm anxiety.
“He can tell when I have had a rough day,” said Safa, “He will lay across my feet, and will wait until I fall asleep and then go to his crate.”
Safa explained that Bentley reads her better than most people.
Bentley is a fully trained service dog with legal protections under the Americans with Disabilities Act, unlike therapy or emotional support animals.
“There’s a huge misconception between emotional support animals and service dogs,” said Safa.
Service animals like Bentley are trained to perform specific actions to mitigate their owner’s disability, which is what distinguishes them from emotional support animals.
“Bringing a service animal to the workplace is treated like any other reasonable accommodation request,” said Joseph Sousa, Hanscom AFB Disability Program Manager. “I also think it is important to note individuals with disabilities will not be refused access to a facility based solely on the breed of their service dog.”
Many service dogs are labradors or poodles, but Safa’s research drew her to greyhounds due to their size and calm demeanor.
There is no restriction or specific breed for service dogs. They are chosen based on the task they are able to perform. The Department of Defense officially recognizes service dogs or miniature ponies as allowable on-base assistance animals.
Whether accompanying Safa while at work, or simply laying nearby at her feet, Bentley plays an important role in assisting his owner.
“He gives me a reason to get up and move,” said Safa. “He helps me keep my mental health in check.”
For individuals who believe an accommodation is necessary, work with your chain of command and the disability program manager in the Equal Opportunity office to initiate the process.