invisible

A true service dog becomes nearly invisible.

Artist Statement

Those with invisible disabilities who have a service dog face many challenges due to the ignorance of the public and people abusing the system. Awareness needs to be spread to combat these issues as service dogs are medical equipment and are an irreplaceable part in many individual’s treatment plan. Many people are not aware of service dog laws. Raising awareness and educating people on this topic is vital. This lack of knowledge causes laws to be broken and conflict to occur. Problems such as people passing off pets as service dogs, comments to handlers who don’t look disabled, and public access issues are common when the public is not aware and educated on the issue. This book specifically focuses on invisible disabilities and how service dogs work to mitigate them. 

Soft, muted colors are used in the book to reflect the idea that invisible disabilities are not as easily noticed, if at all. A book is the best way to distribute the plethora of information about service dogs and bring awareness to service dog laws. The title “invisible” has dual meaning. It reflects the invisibility of the mentioned conditions. The title also reflects that service dogs behave so well they become almost invisible. The size of the book is 8.5in by 8.5in. The equal sides represent equality for individuals with disabilities. The books nonconventional shape is unique and invites people to read it. The font Rajdhani has a light texture, which emphasizes the word “invisible.” Rajdhani is simple yet has the perfect amount of intrigue, great for this topic.

The purpose of the book is to inform people of service dog laws so they can gain awareness of how instrumental service dogs are in assisting people with invisible disabilities. Because all people are different and these disabilities can affect people differently, this book does not include all possible service dog tasks. However, emphasizing these tasks helps people understand the importance of service dogs. The tasks service dogs perform keep their handlers safe and improve their handler’s quality of life. It is important people and businesses are mindful of service dog laws, so the dogs are able do their job and keep their handlers safe.