As we approach the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3, 2025, we pause to reflect on the differences between visible and invisible disabilities, and why understanding both is essential to creating a more compassionate and inclusive world.
Visible vs. Invisible Disabilities: What’s the Difference?
A visible disability can be easily recognized by others—something that outwardly affects a person’s movement, appearance, or speech. It may include conditions such as paralysis, limb loss, or muscular disorders. Because these challenges are often visible, they are more readily understood by the general public, and people with visible disabilities are sometimes offered accommodations without needing to ask.
However, not all disabilities can be seen. An invisible disability refers to conditions that are not immediately apparent to others. These may include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), epilepsy, diabetes, autism spectrum disorders, or other chronic medical and neurological conditions. While invisible disabilities may not show outward signs, they can profoundly affect a person’s ability to function, work, and engage in daily activities.
The Challenge of the Unseen
One of the biggest struggles faced by people with invisible disabilities is misunderstanding. Because others cannot see their condition, they may be misjudged as “faking,” “lazy,” or “perfectly fine.” This lack of understanding can lead to feelings of isolation and frustration, compounding the emotional toll of living with a disability.
Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Carol Borden, recalls a moment that captures this struggle perfectly:
“I was at a convention one time, and one of our recipients was there. He walked over to look at a display, and I overheard someone behind me say, ‘See, look at that guy right there. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with him. He’s got one of those service dogs.’
I turned around and said, ‘Really? That’s a Vietnam veteran you’re looking at who was blown up in a tank defending your freedoms. He has one lung and shrapnel throughout his entire body. But because you can’t see it, you think he doesn’t need a service dog?’ That quieted them down pretty fast.”
Carol’s story reminds us that you can’t always see the pain, trauma, or medical conditions someone lives with on a daily basis. Yet these unseen struggles are just as real, and often just as debilitating, as the ones we readily recognize.
When You Can’t See It, Don’t Assume It Isn’t There
Invisible disabilities are complex and highly personal. They can affect a person’s physical health, emotional stability, cognitive function, and sense of safety in the world. For many, a service dog becomes the difference between fear and freedom.
At Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, we had a recipient who was a first responder injured in an explosion. She suffered a traumatic brain injury that caused severe, unpredictable seizures. She couldn’t cook, shower, or even be left alone. She looked perfectly normal, but her condition was life-threatening.
One day, she fell face-first onto the metal prongs of her dishwasher during a seizure. Another time, she collapsed in a store, shattering her jaw on the way down. That was her turning point. Once she received her service dog, everything changed. Now, her dog alerts her before a seizure happens, giving her enough time to move to safety. Her life and her independence were restored.
This story illustrates how a service dog’s specialized training can literally save lives. These dogs are taught to recognize changes in scent or body chemistry that signal an oncoming seizure or other medical episode. With this early warning, recipients can take protective action, something that might not be possible without their service dog’s help.
In another instance, two veterans shared a home. One had a service dog, the other did not. One night, the dog suddenly began barking and jumping on his recipient. Thinking there was a burglar, he opened the door to find his roommate lying in the hallway in a diabetic coma. Without that alert, his roommate wouldn’t have survived the night.
Stories like these are not rare; they are part of the daily reality of what Guardian Angels’ service dogs are trained to do.
The Science of a Lifesaving Pairing
Every service dog trained by Guardian Angels undergoes no less than 1,500 hours of service dog training over a year and a half to two years. This extensive training includes, but is not limited to, desensitization, confidence building, basic commands, advanced skills, socialization, and public access training. They learn advanced skills such as:
- Alerting on a certain high or low for diabetes
- Alerting in advance of a seizure
- Hitting an emergency help button if the recipient were incapacitated
- Waking someone from a night terror
Even when these dogs appear to be “doing nothing,” they are constantly monitoring their environment and their recipient’s well-being. Even if you see a service dog lying quietly at someone’s feet or walking calmly beside them, they are still on duty 24/7. They can detect subtle chemical changes in their recipient’s body—even while they appear to be resting. They will react instantly if they sense something wrong.
Their presence allows recipients to regain not only safety and functionality, but also confidence—the freedom to participate in daily life without fear of the next unpredictable event.
Breaking the Stigma Surrounding Invisible Disabilities
Much of the misunderstanding surrounding invisible disabilities comes from assumptions. Someone who walks without assistance, speaks clearly, or appears “normal” is often not recognized as needing support. This can lead to unwanted comments or even confrontation when they are accompanied by a service dog in public spaces.
Carol offers this important reminder:
“You can’t tell if someone in the grocery store has a seizure disorder, diabetes, or PTSD. Don’t judge – be thankful that you don’t need a service dog yourself.”
The truth is, many recipients wish they didn’t need one. As Carol recalls from one of her travels:
“A woman once told one of our recipients at the airport, ‘I wish I could have a service dog.’ He replied, ‘Ma’am, I absolutely hate that I have to have a service dog – but I wouldn’t take a million dollars for what this dog does for me.’”
This sentiment perfectly captures the reality of life with a disability. Nobody wants to need a service dog – but for those who do, that pairing represents hope, independence, and a renewed sense of purpose.
Approaching December and Beyond with Awareness and Compassion
The next time you see a service dog, remember that you are witnessing something extraordinary—a working pairing built on trust, skill, and unconditional support. You may not know what that dog is doing, or what challenges its recipient faces, but you can choose kindness and respect.
This International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs encourages everyone to take a moment to look beyond the surface. Offer patience instead of judgment and choose to practice empathy instead of making assumptions.
Because when we understand the difference between visible and invisible disabilities, we don’t just see the world differently, we help make it better for everyone. To donate and support individuals with disabilities who get paired with a service dog, visit here. Contact us today with any questions about service dogs, our application process, or other inquiries.
Mrs. Borden’s expertise and accomplishments are acknowledged by numerous national awards from various industries and agencies including the 2018 Corporate Pet Industry Woman of the Year and multiple awards for her organization’s work in mental health and suicide prevention.
She is frequently requested as a Keynote Speaker, and as an Industry Consultant to teach service dog laws to judicial systems, attorneys, and businesses, and to assist in service dog bills in multiple states that were passed into law. In 2020, she started an Institute for Higher Learning and the Borden Veterinary Hospital. Additionally, she has written and teaches college-accredited/VA-approved apprenticeship courses on dog training and service dog training.
- Understanding the Difference Between Visible and Invisible Disabilities - November 25, 2025
- Service Dog Public Access Skills: Navigating Real-World Distractions - October 15, 2025
- Service Dog Communication: How Dogs Alert to Medical Changes - September 23, 2025
