New
eye-catching postcards have been designed to publicise the appeal.
Tom Pey, guide dog owner and Director of Policy for Guide Dogs
says “we’re not asking people to totally ignore
guide dog owners, but we are encouraging them to ask our visually
impaired clients if their dogs are off duty before stroking them.”
Guide dogs carry out a vital service and when their harness is
on, they are at work. Calling or stroking a guide dog while it
is at work could distract the dog from its important job of providing
its owner with mobility, freedom and independence.
“The rule is if a guide dog is working and the handle
is in the guide dog owners hand, don't distract the dog. However
there are situations when people's help would be appreciated,
like at a road crossing” says guide dog owner Lorna
from Halifax.
There are several guidelines people should follow when in the
presence of a guide dog to allow for the safety of the dog and
its owner.
- Don't
touch, talk, feed or otherwise distract the dog while he is
wearing his harness.
- Don't
treat the dog as a pet.
- Don't
walk on the dog's left side. Walk on the owner's right side,
several paces behind.
- Don't
steer the person while the dog is guiding him. Ask if the owner
needs your assistance and, if so, offer your left arm.
- Don’t
disturb the dog if it is sleeping. Do allow it to rest undisturbed.
- Don't
allow your own pets to approach a guide dog.
- Don't
pat the dog on the head. Do stroke the dog on the shoulder area
but only with the owner's approval and if the dog is not working.
For
further information on the work of The Guide Dogs for the Blind
Association, visit www.guidedogs.org.uk
Similarly,
if you come across an assistance or other working dog being trained,
don’t approach the dog or puppy unless you have checked
it is OK with the trainer or walker first.
Don’t fall into the misguided trap of thinking that these
dogs are being socialised and that you and your dog’s approach
is therefore a helpful part of their training. Working dogs are
taught to take all sorts of situations in their stride. Of course
they are socialised, but encouraging them to meet and greet every
passing dog is not likely to be on their training agenda. Again,
do not approach unless you have checked with the handler first. |
