While most attendees of the Academy Awards brought along their partners or parents to the star-studded event on Sunday, actress Selma Blair chose to bring her dog, Scout.

Wearing a sparkling black Monique Lhuillier gown, the American actress was spotted posing for photographers alongside her well-behaved English Labrador on Sunday (2 March), capturing the attention of many paparazzi who were enchanted by the dog's calm behavior.

The duo's appearance on the red carpet before the Vanity Fair 2025 Oscar Party also drew significant interest from viewers watching at home, leading many to question the rules regarding bringing animals to such prestigious film awards.

It turns out that Blair, at 52, has a service dog, which assists her in managing her life with multiple sclerosis (MS).

The Hellboy actress revealed her diagnosis in 2018, following a period of remission from the chronic condition due to stem cell regeneration since 2001.

MS is a condition that impacts the brain and spinal cord, according to the NHS, causing a wide range of potential symptoms, such as numbness or tingling in various parts of the body, balance difficulties, and vision problems.

Many individuals with MS choose to have a service dog to help with mobility issues - also caused by the condition - and to assist with balance.

Speaking to PEOPLE Magazine in 2022, Blair shared how Scout has been a 'tremendous gift'.

"He’s with me all the time," she told the magazine.

Scout seemingly amassed much attention on the night (Kevin Mazur/VF25/WireImage for Vanity Fair)

"If I fall into a major [muscle] spasm or have trouble moving and need to recalibrate, he can position himself between my legs, help me stand up, and provide balance. It has given me a great deal of independence."

Blair has previously spoken to the media about how her diagnosis has affected her overall mobility.

Speaking on the Today programme in March 2023, she discussed her symptoms.

"I no longer experience the extreme weakness that I had for a long time," Blair explained. "And if I concentrate really deeply and stay alert, I can manage it. But it often requires a lot of energy."

The Legally Blonde actress also admitted that she frequently '[doesn't] know' where her 'body always is in space' when fatigued.

Scout is Selma Blair's service dog, who helps aid her following her diagnosis with multiple sclerosis (Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)

"When I’m tired, I become very spastic, and my speech is dystonic," she explained.

She added at the time that she refuses to let the condition define her life.

"I have really changed many of my own perceptions of disability and now understand what heroes so many people in the disabled community are," Blair continued.

"You have to be a squeaky wheel to get what you want.... There aren't a lot of allies in the disabled community who are fortunate enough to have the platform I do to bring awareness."