Please make guide dogs welcome
RNZFB Guide Dog Services
Principal Sponsor Bayleys - Before Guidance Comes Trust
Guide dogs have special privileges
Many people who are blind, deafblind or vision-impaired use a guide dog to get around with greater speed and confidence.
Sometimes shopkeepers, restaurant staff and other businesses have refused access to a guide dog, guide dog puppy or breeding stock.
But guide dogs, guide dogs in training, guide dog puppies (red coat) and breeding stock (blue coat) have special privileges (see legislation).
Because of the unique and important job performed by guide dogs they are legally allowed into any public place with their handler. This includes food outlets, restaurants, shops, theatres, on public transport - virtually everywhere their handler goes!
The 'Guide Dogs Are Welcome Here' sticker reinforces the special job guide dogs have and their right to enter any public place.
Training a guide dog
The Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind's Guide Dog Services purpose-breeds around 100 guide dog puppies each year.
At seven weeks old, puppies are placed with volunteer puppy walkers for around 12 months as part of the Guide Dog Puppy Development Programme.
Puppy walkers take their new family member everywhere and this is where you - as a shop owner, restauranteur or business person - may first encounter the red-coated puppy.
At around 12 months the puppy returns to Guide Dog Services to begin training as a guide dog. At this time the dog will be wearing a white and black/brown harness.
During the puppy walking and training stages guide dogs are exposed to different situations they may encounter as working guide dogs. This includes the temptations of food shops, meeting animals and people and dealing with traffic hassles of everyday living.
After five to six months training, Guide Dog Services seeks to match the guide dog to a blind, deafblind or vision-impaired person.
For the guide dog handler their guide dog is invaluable, enabling them to avoid obstacles, negotiate traffic and people, and locate common and new destinations.
A guide dog means freedom, independence, confidence and companionship.
Guide dogs are highly disciplined
Guide dogs are specially trained to behave appropriately in a range of situations, including eating and toilet training on command.
The next time someone comes into your shop or business with a guide dog, guide dog in training, puppy or breeding stock please make them welcome.
How to spot a guide dog
Guide dogs come in different shapes and sizes. The most common are Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers. Guide Dog Services also breed and train a small number of other breeds such as German Shepherds and Standard Poodles to try and find the very best match for every person.
All guide dogs are clearly identified as being Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind Guide Dog Services stock.
Legislation
Guide dogs, guide dogs in training, guide dog puppies and breeding stock are legally protected from discrimination by three Acts: The Human Rights Act 1993, Dog Control Act 1996 and Transport Services Licensing Act 1989.
This legislation entitles guide dogs to go into any public place and on any public vehicle including: restaurants, doctors, dentists, shops, beaches, cinemas, hotels, buses ferries, domestic and international flights, ships, taxis, trains, etc.
Denying access to a person with a guide dog, guide dog in training, guide dog puppy or breeding stock is considered a serious offence and must be dealt with accordingly.
Please reinforce the special job guide dogs do by putting a sticker on the door or window of your business and by making guide dogs, guide dogs in training, guide dog puppies and breeding stock welcome.
Contact
RNZFB Guide Dog Services
Private Bag 94002
South Auckland Mail Service Centre
ph: 09 269 0400
email: gds
webpage: www.rnzfb.org.nz
Related Links
Guide Dog Services
Puppy
walking (brochure)
Discrimination