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Estranged… But Still Petting Dogs: The ADA Paws Pass Chronicles"From Panic to Purpose at the Mrs. Tennessee America Pageant

  • Writer: Crystal McDaniel
    Crystal McDaniel
  • May 5
  • 5 min read

The Front of the T-Shirts for ADA Paws Pass by Crystal
The Front of the T-Shirts for ADA Paws Pass by Crystal

You know those moments where everything’s going great, and then, out of nowhere, it’s like someone threw a giant paperwork storm at you? That’s exactly what happened to me at the Mrs. Tennessee America Pageant—but this time, it wasn’t just about paperwork, it was about Big, my service dog, and me fighting the good fight for ADA rights in stilettos.


The Resort: Where Paperwork Grew Legs


It all started innocently enough at the resort. I was pumped to be there, feeling ready to represent my mental health platform—until I was asked to “put paperwork on file” for my service dog. Um… What?


I don’t know about you, but according to ADA Law, people with service dogs (like me) don’t need to register or show paperwork to get through the door. In fact, businesses can only ask two questions:


  1. Is this a service dog?

  2. What work or task is it trained to do?


Big’s a trained professional. But apparently, the resort staff didn’t get the memo. I was asked to give them paperwork, which, just so we’re clear, they legally cannot ask for. 🤦‍♀️

But wait, it gets better! Not only did they want my “paperwork on file,” they actually wanted me to sign a contract about my service dog—because, you know, what’s a vacation without a little legal drama, right? 😅


The Event Center: An Emotional Rollercoaster, Now With Seizures

Next stop: the event center. So, Big and I walk in for the pageant prep, and I kid you not, there was an impromptu service dog inspection. You know, because who doesn’t want to add a little extra drama to their day?


A staff member insisted once again that I needed to “put paperwork on file” for Big. But, the day before, he had been with me in that building all day without any issues. Let that sink in. After rehearsals, dinner, and absolutely zero complaints, we’re back for showtime and suddenly I’m public enemy #1 for not having a folder of paperwork in hand.


Of course, a few uninvited voices jumped in with their "You do need paperwork" comments. Thank you, stranger, for your unsolicited legal advice. 🙄


Before I knew it, I was surrounded, panicked, shaking, and—yep, you guessed it—I had a panic attack and a seizure backstage. But then, right on cue, Big went into action with his touch therapy, gently pressing his body against me, offering calm and stability in the middle of the chaos.


Meanwhile, my husband rushed backstage, his presence a grounding force. He grabbed my medication and quickly fetched a bowl of ice water for me to use as part of my Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) technique. DBT is one of the tools that helps me regulate my emotions in high-stress situations, and it was a game-changer in this moment. Big’s touch therapy and my husband’s quick thinking helped me get through this intense ordeal, but it shouldn’t have had to come to this.


Compassion, Not Confrontation


Listen, if you’re living with Complex PTSD, Vestibular Migraines, and balance issues, a surprise "Are you sure this dog is a service animal?" moment is not your idea of a good time. It’s not cute. It’s not funny. And it definitely doesn’t help with estrangement from one of your adult daughters, which, by the way, is a challenge that doesn't need to be rubbed in your face while you’re trying to just, you know, exist and do the pageant thing.

What I needed was a little compassion, not a 20-question interrogation. Is that too much to ask? Apparently so.


Finding Purpose, Even Through Pain


Even though the emotional pain of being estranged from one of my adult daughters still lingers, I’ve learned to find purpose. Having Big by my side has given me the freedom to be myself, to socialize, and to educate people about how service dogs work. Instead of feeling isolated and judged, I get to take the opportunity to raise awareness about invisible disabilities, PTSD, and the importance of having a service dog.


And hey, I don’t stop there. I’ve got four other dogs—yes, five dogs in total. All of them are emotional support animals. And I’ll tell you, they do wonders for my mental health. So, don’t judge. It’s not your house, and you don’t know how much these animals help me through tough days. They’re part of my journey, and they deserve just as much respect as any service dog. 🐾


Why I Created ADA Paws Pass by Crystal

This whole experience is exactly why I started ADA Paws Pass by Crystal—to help people like me who just want to live our lives without getting questioned or judged for needing our service dogs. This is all about educating the public (and yes, event centers, I’m looking at you) on the real rights of service dog handlers under the ADA law.


It’s also for those of us with invisible disabilities, who don’t have a “badge of honor” plastered on us telling the world we need extra help. We don’t need to carry around stacks of paperwork—just understanding. It’s all about raising awareness, bridging ignorance to education, and turning pain into purpose.


I also created it so that nobody has to experience what I did: confusion, stress, and public humiliation. Nope. Let’s not do that.


What’s In It for You? (Besides Helping Me Avoid More Panic Attacks 😅)

ADA Paws Pass isn’t just about legal advocacy; we’ve also got some fun products to help spread the word and make life a little easier for people with service dogs (and their handlers):


  • T-shirts with the Sunflower Symbol: You know, because sunflowers are not just for decoration—they’re the international symbol for invisible disabilities! Plus, each shirt comes with a QR code that links directly to the ADA Service Dog page, for all your ADA law needs. Bonus: You’ll look stylish while raising awareness. 🌻


  • Hats with the Sunflower Symbol: If you’re more of a “hat person,” we’ve got you covered (literally). These hats also have the QR code and are great for a casual but impactful look. 👒


And as if that wasn’t enough, the ADA Paws Pass by Crystal website is coming soon, and more products are in the works—so stay tuned!


Supporting Our Veterans

Here’s the kicker: 10% of the profits from every purchase go to Fortunate Sons, an amazing organization that helps veterans in their recovery from PTSD. So, you’re not just rocking a cool shirt or hat—you’re also helping heroes who need it most. 🦸‍♂️🇺🇸


Call to Action: Time to Join the Pack

Stand with Big, and stand with us! If you want to pre-order your ADA Paws Pass t-shirt or hat, message me through my Facebook page. You’ll be helping spread awareness, raising support for invisible disabilities, and most importantly, making sure people like me—and Big—are never stopped from doing what we have every right to do. It’s time to turn frustration into fashion!


Please remember that you are loved and enough. Leave a Comment and let us hear from you! We want to know your story.


 
 
 

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