To go straight to where you can read about my issue with the Melbourne City Council,
As some of you know, my now retired Guide Dog Kyros, was Puppy Raised by Jackie, a Primary Teacher. Five years ago Kyros would go to school each day with Jackie when she worked full time. The students, staff and parents adored him!
Kyros had to retire at the age of 5 due to a heart condition.
Late last year, Jackie was made to feel like she was doing something wrong by taking a pup she was Puppy Raising for Guide Dogs Victoria to a school she was asked to teach at. Apparently, a parent took issue with Jackie's pup being in class with the students on the grounds of her child being fearful of dogs. Which translated simply means,
(I have no understanding how these special dogs will change someone's life one day and I'm not interested in knowing because it's much easier to cry out "allergy!" or "fear of dogs!") than it is to take the time to learn exactly what it is they are being brought up to do.
It also doesn't help when the Principal of that same school lacks leadership by treating the issue off handedly rather than getting all parties together as soon as possible with the aim of establishing a clearer understanding on what these dogs are there for and thereby putting to rest any concerns the parent may have for their child and learning first hand if ever they themselves, their child, a family member or a close friend should ever lose their vision for some reason. They will then know that there are services out there to assist in making life (VERY MUCH) easier.
These special dogs just happen to be a large part of that assistance in helping one be more mobile and free to get about independently and (safely.)
Ironically, it's often been the case that the child with a fear of dogs, soon has no fear at all after getting to have one of these pups in class. The student with the behavior problem, often is seen in a calmer state while quietly patting one of these pups. In fact, the therapeutic effects on children are well documented and it's often the parent who has the fear of dogs from a childhood incident.
For example, read the short article entitled
about an 8 year old Autistic boy who is calmed by the presence of Guide Dog Eddie.
So what exactly is so special about these dogs in what they do?
Well, when you're enjoying a pleasant walk in the sun on a weekend either on your own or with the family, I would like to do the same thing too with my own family with my Guide Dog by my side ... if that's ok with you?
When you're on your way for simple items at the local shops like bread or milk, I would like to walk to my local shops assisted by my Guide Dog to get those simple things too ... if that's ok with you?
When you're probably driving or walking your kids to school, I would also like to walk my child to school too with my Guide Dog ... if that's ok with you?
And when you're enjoying watching a beautiful sunset, watching a night sky full of stars, playing a ball game at the local park with your kids or friends, watching the joy in your children's eyes and thinking how it makes things all worth while, spare a thought for those who are not able to enjoy these things in the same way through no fault of their own or yours.
But you are able to make a difference by asking questions about these dogs and resolving any issues you may have with them quickly, rather than looking for a way to have them removed.Helping and not hindering the Puppy Raiser's desire in wanting to make a difference in some one's life would be a better option as the end result is life changing for many people.
Organisations such as Guide Dogs Victoria are fantastic! But lets face it, no Puppy Raisers, means no Guide Dogs, means no independence.
I was fortunate to visit the school where Kyros was raised as a pup back in 2006.The students and staff there could see for themselves the end result of 10 months of puppy raising as Kyros had matured into a working Guide Dog.
Imagine the pride the kids and staff, and yes, even the parents would have felt, seeing their Kyros pass as a Guide Dog and now making a difference in my day to day life.
I have a video of this event on YouTube which runs about 9 minutes if you would like to see for yourself the joy it brought to the kids.
As you'll see, they even went as far as performing a song for Kyros to mark the occasion!
You can listen to Jackie talking about Puppy Raising in general and a little on Guide Dogs Victoria, on a radio interview conducted by Bill Kirk from 3NRG, [99.3 FM], which runs about 10 minutes.
So what's happened to the pup that was causing such a fuss? Well I'm pleased to say it's passed the assessment and training carried out by Guide Dogs Victoria, to see whether it had the qualities required in a Guide Dog, and is now a working Guide Dog!
In November 2011, both Guide Dog and owner will attend an official graduation ceremony, and then continue their 8 to 10 years of getting about amongst us all in the community.
To think someone attempted to deny this for this handler because it was much easier to make a fuss than to ask questions and learn what these pups are all about. How childish!
And what of Jackie? Well thanks to a parent of the school who felt strongly about Jackie not being permitted to bring her pup to work, the matter was taken to the School Council for the second time, where the subject was finally made in Jackie's favor. However, no work has been offered to Jackie so far this year from this school.
so one wonders has this matter really been resolved? ironically this was a school that embraced the introduction of Guide Dog Puppies some five years earlier and saw their first dog become a working Guide Dog. All has been different since there has been a change of staff.
To all the Puppy Raisers out there, a big THANK YOU for your voluntary work in raising these pups!!!
If any teachers or School Principals would like to have Jackie and possibly a pup at their school on a C.R.T. bases, in the eastern or northern suburbs of Melbourne,
and I will be pleased to pass on your details to her.
You can also help get the message out there by telling others about this page and by
Feel free to leave your thoughts on my
