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Petitions and activism

Guide Dogs and other assistance/service dogs

114 replies

candykane25 · 15/04/2016 09:32

Next month my dual purpose guide dog comes to live with me and I am excited beyond belief.it won't be easy, there's a lot of work involved in being a guide dog owner (GDO) and no doubt I'll be sharing my journey in various posts around the site!

The below petition has been set up by Guide Dogs (the organisation, not cyber dogs ;) ) and it is about Access All Areas. Unfortunately 49% of GDOs have been refused access in the last year.

Here is how one GDO described it

“Each refusal is crushing, confidence shattering, rejecting, and traumatic. I always feel that I don't want to go out after - but work dictates I must.”

Personally I know how hard it is to step outside with a disability and get through the day and face numerous barriers and hiccups and misconceptions. GDOs are challenged on a regular basis and really, just want to get on with their day. Here is the link and any question, I'm happy to have a go at answering.

www.guidedogs.org.uk/supportus/campaigns/access-all-areas/how-can-i-help-the-access-all-areas-campaign#.VxCjHkV4XCQ

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VertigoNun · 15/04/2016 09:37

I will sign.

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candykane25 · 15/04/2016 09:37

Cheers vertigo !

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timemaychangeme · 15/04/2016 09:56

Will sign too. Hope all goes really well with the new dog. Will it be your first dog? I know from my friend who is a GDO, that there IS a lot of hard work involved for you both at first and that each dog has their own little quirks. But the help from GD's has always been wonderful and they work really hard to iron out any difficulties and get things running as smoothly as possible as quickly as possible. Good luck to you and DGD (darling guide dog - new MN term :)

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timemaychangeme · 15/04/2016 09:58

Just signed.

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heygotanygrapes · 15/04/2016 10:15

I'll sign. Good luck with your new best friend Smile

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candykane25 · 15/04/2016 10:17

time thank you and for the good wishes. She is my first service dog but not my first dog as I've always had a pet dog. My last pet dog died two years ago aged 15.
Guide Dogs (the organisation) are amazing. Their staff are so dedicated.

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OddSocksHighHeels · 15/04/2016 10:18

I've signed.

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Shirkingfromhome · 15/04/2016 10:20

Signed. What a shame such a petition has to exist, I hope these changes are enforced sooner rather than later.

Good luck with your dgd Smile

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candykane25 · 15/04/2016 10:24

Thank you guys Grin

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MackerelOfFact · 15/04/2016 10:32

Ah congratulations! You must be so excited. I've been involved with Guide Dogs for most of my life. Will sign the petition, provided you post piccies of DGD!

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AlwaysDancing1234 · 15/04/2016 10:35

You must be thrilled to be getting your new dog, it's sad that ignorant people and businesses can still be difficult around guide dogs and other service animals.

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PatrickMcGinty · 15/04/2016 10:41

Signed

Good luck with the new GD

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Tate15 · 15/04/2016 10:42

This is a lovely film to watch



Not sure if correct but I did read that every hour another person in the UK becomes blind.

Guide dogs give blind or poorly sighted people the confidence to go about their daily business just like the rest of us.

I hope one day that Guide dogs are accepted everywhere.
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averylongtimeago · 15/04/2016 10:46

Signed. Who would turn one away?

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candykane25 · 15/04/2016 10:47

This is my DGD

Guide Dogs and other assistance/service dogs
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candykane25 · 15/04/2016 10:51

avery people think the No Dogs rule also applies to guide dogs.
I liken it to a wheelchair. A wheelchair might be essential to a persons mobility. So is a service dog. The businesses or service providers do t understand this this. Also some members of the general public in parks and open spaces saying that dogs aren't allowed.

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purplevase · 15/04/2016 10:52

I can kind of understand why a taxi driver might, sharing a small space with a dog isn't great if are allergic to them. I don't agree with them having "tougher sentences" passed on them - giving a criminal record, really? Surely better education on the laws relating to equality and making sure they know how to provide other acceptable solutions is the key.

I can't support the petition, although I absolutely agree with businesses needing to understand their obligations under the Equality Act. But picking on taxi drivers and calling for tougher sentences on them alone is not the answer, sorry.

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MackerelOfFact · 15/04/2016 10:53

I had an argument in my Equality and Diversity training at work about whether Guide Dogs could be refused entry to the attached museum, which houses bones and other bodily artefacts (behind fucking GLASS).

The trainer was insistent that this constitutes 'special circumstances' and in this instance the dog would have to be left outside and a human guide would be provided for the guest. I said, no, I have first-hand experience of how well Guide Dogs are trained not to steal bones or food while in harness, and anyway the artefacts are behind GLASS.

She wasn't having it and just laughed me off saying 'haha, it's a DOG and there are priceless BONES, of course we can't let them in!' AngryAngry

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incogKNEEto · 15/04/2016 10:55

Signed, good luck with your new DGD Smile

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MackerelOfFact · 15/04/2016 10:55

Oh DGD is GORGEOUS! I just want to rub those little soft ears and nuzzle that lovely warm wet nose!

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Floralnomad · 15/04/2016 10:57

Can I just ask ,has there been an increase in people refusing to allow guide dogs since the increase in all the other types of 'service' dog that you see ? im just about to follow your link so ignore me if my question has been answered there .

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candykane25 · 15/04/2016 10:57

Tate one person in 30 in the UK has sight loss.
The majority of those have some vision. I have some vision.
Many conditions that cause sight loss are progressive so a fully sighted person can gradually become blind or severely sight impaired.
The majority of guide dog owners you see, or people using a white cane will have some vision but it will be different for everyone.
If you ever see a white cane with red stripes it's not a candy cane ;D , it means the person also has a hearing loss, that is, is DeafBlind.

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AlwaysDancing1234 · 15/04/2016 10:57

Mackerel that is ignorance of the highest order isn't it!
candy your dog is just adorable!

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idontlikealdi · 15/04/2016 10:57

I have signed. I obviously wrongly, assumed that guide dogs were allowed everywhere!

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WannaBe · 15/04/2016 11:01

"I can't support the petition, although I absolutely agree with businesses needing to understand their obligations under the Equality Act. But picking on taxi drivers and calling for tougher sentences on them alone is not the answer, sorry." if a taxi driver has allergies they can obtain an exemption certificate meaning that they are exempt from having to carry a guide or assistance dog.

The problem is that most taxi drivers who refuse guide dogs do so on the basis that they don't like dogs. And the vast majority of taxi refusals are from cultures which do not accept dogs although under e.g. Islamic law assistance dogs are exempt from the "no dogs" rule...

OP GDO here. Good luck with the new dog. Are you on the coffee lounge group on FB?

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