Assistants Are People Too

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248 – The Annual, 2025-26

By Jordan Moore

Last month, I wrote about why it’s so important to be an assistant before becoming a professional handler. This time, I’d like to explore the opposite point of view.

As we all know, assisting is a vital step in learning the craft of professional handling. But while “paying your dues” is part of the process, it’s crucial to remember one simple truth: assistants are people, too. Learning through hard work is one thing; being treated like a doormat is another issue entirely.

Within the assistant community, we’ve built a bond that few outside our circle can truly understand. We share the same long hours, the exhaustion, the passion, and sometimes, the same frustrations. One of the most common complaints is how assistants are treated. Many of us have heard stories, or lived them, of handlers who belittle their help, withhold meals, use harsh words, or even cross physical lines. Others have been told, “assistants are better seen, not heard.”

And yet, despite these challenges, assistants continue to look up to their handlers. They respect them, learn from them, and aspire to follow in their footsteps.

Click here to read the complete article
248 – The Annual, 2025-26

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Posted by AnthonyA on Jan 3 2026. Filed under Current Articles, Featured. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.