An Inspired Chat with Nathalie of Los Angeles

Nathalie shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Nathalie, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
I’m being called to reclaim my independence. For a long time, my anxiety and depression made even everyday tasks feel debilitating. Going to the grocery store to get essentials or food felt overwhelming and often impossible. Independence was something I was afraid of, not something I felt capable of. Having Pluto by my side has helped change that. He gives me grounding, support, and confidence, allowing me to move through spaces that once felt unsafe. Recently, I went to Disneyland by myself with Pluto something I never would have imagined doing before. That moment reminded me how far I’ve come and how much growth is possible when support meets healing.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Nathalie, and I’m a service dog handler and disability advocate. I share my life with my service dog, Pluto, who is trained to assist me with psychiatric support and hearing-related tasks. Together, we navigate everyday life, travel, and public spaces while also educating others on what service dogs really do and what living with an invisible disability can look like. What makes our story unique is that we focus on honest, real-life moments not perfection. Through advocacy, education, and visibility, I hope to create more understanding, compassion, and respect for the service dog community while reminding others that independence can look different for everyone.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
The relationship that has most shaped how I see myself is the one I have with my husband, Kevin. We’ve been together since we were 13 years old, and he has been my safe place through every version of me. In moments when I felt lost, overwhelmed, or unable to believe in myself, he never stopped believing in me. When my anxiety and depression made me question my worth, Kevin reminded me that I was deserving of support, care, and compassion. He is the reason I have Pluto. I truly didn’t think I deserved a service dog, and he gently helped me understand that needing help does not make me weak. Because of his love and unwavering support, I’ve been able to heal, find my confidence again, and do things I once thought were impossible.

When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
I stopped hiding my pain when I realized that my silence wasn’t protecting me, it was isolating me. For a long time, I tried to carry everything quietly, believing I had to appear strong or unaffected. But once I began sharing my experiences and showing up honestly, I saw how many others felt seen through my story. That’s when my pain became power. By being open about my struggles and my journey with Pluto, I’m able to advocate for people with disabilities, especially those with invisible disabilities, and remind them that they are not alone or weak for needing support. Turning my pain into purpose has allowed me to create space for others to feel understood, empowered, and worthy of the help they need.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies within the service dog community is the idea that a service dog has to be perfect at all times. The community can be a powerful place to find connection, understanding, and people who truly relate to your experience, but perfection is often held as the standard. Service dogs absolutely need to be highly trained and well-mannered, but that doesn’t mean they are robots or incapable of making mistakes. They are still living beings who learn, grow, and occasionally have off moments just like the humans they support. Holding perfection as the expectation creates unnecessary pressure on handlers and overlooks the reality that partnership, not flawlessness, is what makes a service dog effective.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I believe I’m doing what I was born to do. I’ve always felt a pull toward helping people and working alongside animals, even before I understood what that might look like. For a long time, outside expectations and my own self-doubt made that feel out of reach. But through my journey with Pluto and my advocacy work, I’ve found a purpose that feels deeply aligned with who I am. Helping others feel seen, supported, and understood while working with an animal who has changed my life doesn’t feel like a job or an obligation, it feels like calling.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/Pluto_TheServiceDog
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Pluto_theservicedog
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@pluto_theservicedog
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@pluto_theservicedog