Zachariah Fry’s Journey with His Service Dog Ghost
Zachariah Fry enters a truck stop and surveys the room. After 12 years of driving semis, he has honed his skills in detecting trouble before it escalates. Today, he scans the faces, pondering who might address his service dog companion first.
Fry and his service dog, Ghost, have faced hostility and discrimination, prompting Fry to leave jobs where such treatment is tolerated. He recognizes ignorance when he encounters it but grows weary of defending himself and Ghost, who remains silent by his side.
The Misconceptions Surrounding Service Dogs
“There are numerous misunderstandings about service dogs, and it’s pure ignorance,” Fry, 31, remarked. “Our society tends to think it knows everything but shows little interest in learning. On the road, people either adore the dogs or detest them.” He notes that many truckers with service dogs experience similar challenges, stating that about 75% of trucking companies prohibit pets. “But ‘service’ is the key distinction; service dogs are not pets,” he emphasized.
Fry relies on Ghost to help manage his PTSD and cope with the stresses of daily life, which can be intensified by his job. “In my youth, I was treated with medication that didn’t yield positive results. Eventually, a doctor recommended a service dog, leading me to Ghost. I never anticipated how much he would mean to me; our lives have become intertwined,” he shared.
Facing Challenges Despite Support
Ironically, the same dog that helps Fry manage anxiety also presents significant challenges in his career. “It’s been stressful over the years,” Fry recounted, sharing an incident at a grocery store where a manager aggressively confronted him about Ghost. “He demanded to see papers, but that’s not how it works; I don’t owe anyone documentation.” This scenario has played out repeatedly for Fry.
Though the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is designed to assist individuals relying on service animals, Fry believes it is frequently misunderstood or ignored by the public. “With the ADA, you’re not required to have any visible identifier for your service dog,” Fry explained. He prefers not to use a vest for Ghost, as he values his privacy regarding his medical condition. “It’s uncomfortable to share personal details just to justify my service dog’s presence,” he stated.
Creating a New Path
Fry’s experience with Ghost has led him to switch trucking companies multiple times due to the refusal to acknowledge Ghost’s status as a service animal. In mid-2020, he took a significant step and founded his own company, Ghost Hauling. “It’s been a great journey. I have several wonderful clients, and it’s been the best experience of my life,” Fry expressed, noting that he primarily transports fertilizer to farmers and nurseries.
The Transformation of Their Partnership
Interestingly, Ghost now serves as the company’s mascot, complete with his likeness painted on the truck, resulting in a much warmer reception compared to his previous role solely as a service animal. “Ghost accompanies me everywhere, and everyone loves him. They enjoy seeing him on the truck and in the cab with me,” Fry concluded.
