Don’t forget to Talk to the Handler on International Guide Dog Day

Overloaded with cuteness, it can be tempting to pat a Guide Dog when you see one out in public. As we celebrate International Guide Dog Day today, Guide Dogs SA/NT is reminding people to strike up a conversation and talk to the handler first.
The campaign Talk to the Handler, created by Guide Dogs Australia, has an educational approach, encouraging the community to better understand the rights, etiquettes and challenges of Guide Dog, Assistance Dogs and Facility Dogs Handlers while their dogs are on duty supporting them when out in public.

When asked to rate their knowledge on a range of issues relating to Handlers and their Guide Dogs from poor (0) to very high (10), in a Guide Dogs Australia survey of 1500 people, the average score was just five.

While 70 per cent said they understood the importance of Guide Dog Access Rights, which included access to all public areas, less than half knew this meant a working Guide Dog with its Handler had access to rideshare services and airplanes.

Other community misunderstandings or lack of knowledge that could limit access and inclusion for Guide Dog Handlers included:

• 43 per cent thought it was okay to touch a working Guide Dog in a harness when they thought the Handler or dog need help. The public should never touch, feed or otherwise distract a working Guide Dog.
• One third of people did not know to keep their pet dog on a lead, give plenty of space and make themselves known before approaching or passing a Handler with their Guide Dog, as distractions can cause Handlers and their Guide Dogs to become disoriented, change their daily habits, and in some cases put them in danger.
• Almost two thirds of people said they had avoided talking to a person with low vision or blindness by addressing their Guide Dog or someone accompanying them instead. Not wanting to intrude and worrying about saying the wrong thing or being insensitive were the main barriers for half of the respondents.

Guide Dogs SA/NT Chief Executive Aaron Chia said it was important to remember that Guide Dogs were trained to support a client and were generally on duty.

“We’ll be encouraging people to talk to the handler first, seek permission to pat their canine companion, avoid distracting the dog while it’s working, provide tips on what to do with your own dog if you’re approaching a handler and their Guide Dog, and even which side to approach them from,” Mr Chia said.

“Many people are overwhelmed by the loveable nature of a Guide Dog, and we would like them to stop and think before they interact, to ensure the dog can undertake its work, as we would in an office or in other workplace environments.”

Guide Dogs SA/NT will be celebrating International Guide Dog Day with a garden party at Government House this morning to launch the campaign and to recognise dogs which have graduated over the past 12 months, those currently in training, Guide Dogs, Facility Dogs and Assistance Dogs which have retired from service or passed away, and thanking puppy raisers, trainers, and supporters for their help.

“Over last financial year, we had 125 dogs on the program including pups in training, those placed as a working Guide Dog, Assistance Dog, or Facility Dog that work in areas like schools, the airport, and supporting vulnerable victims and witnesses of crime. Today’s event is about showing our appreciation,” Mr Chia said.

At the event, vision-impaired university student Alana Tiller, who was recently paired with her first Guide Dog, Rocket, will share her story of how Rocket has given her the confidence to attend lectures and take part in uni life.

Five-time Australian Paralympian Anthony Clarke, who has lived with six Guide Dogs over more than 20 years, will share his story about blindness, and how nothing stops him from making the most of his abilities.

Mr Chia said Adelaide will also be bathed in orange this evening to celebrate International Guide Dogs Day, including Adelaide Oval, the River Torrens Footbridge, the Adelaide Convention Centre, the Adelaide Railway Station, Parliament House and the Festival Theatre, recognising the services provided to people in South Australia and the Northern Territory since 1957.

“Thanks to our founder, Frank Beauchamp, Guide Dogs has provided a much-needed and highly-valued service in South Australia and the Northern Territory for more than 60 years, and today we’re showing our appreciation to the trainers, the families who have raised our dogs and to the people who have cared for them as they in turn provided much-needed support,” Mr Chia said.

“Guide Dogs are an essential part of a visually-impaired person’s life and provide not only unwavering support and comfort, but unconditional love.” 

It takes more than $50,000 to breed, raise and train a Guide Dog, Facility Dog or Assistance Dog.

At the end of the garden party’s formalities, guests will be invited to meet the latest litter of puppies preparing for training to become Guide Dogs, Assistance Dogs or Facility Dogs.