Guide Dogs and other assistance/service dogs

[candykane25]

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

[SoleBizzz]

Signed and shared upon my Facebook page x

[DowntonIsMyHome]

Signed too - fully support the harsher consequences; there is NO excuse (except allergy, which has been discussed)

[candykane25]

notcitrus that's true, my reading ability of forms is much eroded. And there's no proof it is genuine, it could be a photocopy of anything.
The driver and ref can be reported to the local council and their licence can be revoked but it's getting it that can be an issue.
I think I might try using my phone camera, learn how to scan a doc and try to capture the reg plate.
But that kind of confrontation is difficult for anyone, never mind when you are vulnerable anyway.
wanna I did wonder but still glad the driver was tackled to the full extent of the law. I was disturbed the reason used was that he didn't know it was a guide dog. In that case, he probably shouldn't be driving.

[WannaBe]

I recently read an article about a council who have brought in a scheme where if you have an exemption certificate they will have it brailled so that immediate access to it can be seen by the VI person. Any driver with an exemption certificate needs to also request a Braille copy, refusal to do so will render their exemption certificate not admissible in court.

Interestingly said council have as yet had no requests for Braille certs.

[Puzzledandpissedoff]

I would hope most taxi drivers understand that they might have minor inconvenience for the duration of one journey however the inconvenience caused to the person with the assistance dog is much greater

You'd think so, wouldn't you? I'm really glad to hear that drivers in some areas are better about this, and only wish it was the case around us - as you say, it's not as if VI folk are always able to read the certificates

It's also sad that local drivers seem to have a stranglehold on our city council for some reason; no amount of complaints makes any difference at all

[candykane25]

Puzzled u think that's why the petition is needed. The rules are already there. The drivers know the law. It's the enforcement that's the tricky bit.
I don't know the answer to your question. I would guess at limited resources at the council?

[candykane25]

• I think not u think

[Puzzledandpissedoff]

Enforcement, yes - that's precisely what's needed

Our council do indeed blame "the savage cuts" for their lack of action; unfortunately some feel that other issues are at play in their refusal to confront local drivers about their practises

[Floralnomad]

I reckon there are loads of fake assistance dogs , stick a coat on it saying service dog / assistance dog / hearing dog and I doubt you'd get challenged much and some of the ones I've seen are so badly behaved I can't believe they are assistance dogs .

[Puzzledandpissedoff]

I have to agree Floralnomad I sometimes think it's a "thing" which has come over from the USA, where so-called service dogs can seemingly be used for almost anything

In California particularly I've heard of many being used for "emotional support", something which appears to be fairly open to abuse - and it's often abuse of a system which spoils things for others

[candykane25]

Oh my goodness. That must be hard to deal with. How do you challenge a person with a naughty fake assistance dog?
I'm sure I might get funny looks as I can make eye contact and don't always wear dark glasses, especially indoors. I know a few GDOs who get asked if they are training the dog because we look far too young, fit and trendy to have a visual impairment (the young, fit and trendy bit is tongue in cheek but we don't fit stereotypical images).

[candykane25]

And by using the words fit and trendy I am showing my age...

[PersisFord]

candy can I ask an ignorant question? I was watching the video linked to above (is there a word for getting broody for a dog?!?!) and the first owner they interview said he had tried out a dog but she hasn't suited him, and the dog he was trying hasn't suited someone else. What does that mean? Is it like personalities (someone might like a quieter dog, someone else a more energetic one) or is it something specific to being an assistance dog?

I will go and sign it now. And she is just so beautiful!!!

[candykane25]

She is persis

It can be many things including walking speed, behaviour, habits, responding to commands, energy levels. If the match isn't successful it's better to rematch the dog as soon as possible I believe.
Some dogs get retired early due to health conditions. I know of one match that failed because the dog constantly turned to go to the park instead of going on the route the GDO wanted to go on. There are those who find that having a GD is not the right thing for them. It's a very personal thing.
My DGD certainly has a lively, energetic and interesting personality. I'm anticipating food issues and possibly distraction issues from the time I've already spent with her. As a GDO you need to be committed to working with your dog to get the best out of tne partnership so it's important the match is right.

[candykane25]

Oh and in trying them out before the match, I tried out two and one of them, lovely chap as he was, was far too laid back for me. The second was faster and sharper and turned out to be my DGD :D

[PersisFord]

Makes sense! I am at the dog going to the park though!! Am picturing him looking up innocently like "I thought this was where you wanted to go!!! Silly old me. Still, while we are here......."

[candykane25]

Exactly persis ! Guide dogs are not immune from a bit of mischief

[Joolly2]

Just signed.

[SoleBizzz]

Bump

[Chocolou]

Signed. Good luck with your gorgeous new best friend.

[EveryoneElsie]

I've signed. I had no idea people could restrict access to guide dogs, its ridiculous.
Have fun with your new dog

[candykane25]

Thank you!

[UptownFunk00]

I'll sign.

My friend also has a petition to prosecute those who don't allow guide/service dogs too if they don't make reasonable adjustments.

My DH has a guide dog.

You're is such a beauty!

This is my partners dog with my daughter when she was younger :)

[ImNotThatGirl]

Gorgeous dogs!

I'm curious about something and hope you don't mind me asking. Has anyone on here flown with a guide dog? I wondered how it all panned out and how the dog managed the flight especially if they've never been on a plane before.

[UptownFunk00]

ImNotThatGirl Yes we have and not a problem to ask.

We got assisted travel which also helped. The dog gets a special harness to keep close to you and you are put in the front row. The dog sits in front of you like it would in a train or bus.

DDog didn't mind at all although I'm sure it depends on the individual dog but he was perfectly happy, albeit a bit annoyed he had to stay still. Then the steward/stewardesses came over to say hello to him and he was happier than anything!