Guide Dogs For The Blind

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30154, 11 June 1963, Page 3

Guide Dogs For The Blind

Sir, —Admittedly there are some things that no-one can expect a dog to do, but these limitations are more than compensated by the pleasure and freedom a guide dog gives to bis handler. Many blind people living alone and without human assistance to take them out. would if they had a guide-dog be able to lead a far happier and full life. The dog is ready to take his master out at any time and his time is all his owner’s. It is also amazing how many people on the street will stop and talk to a person with a dog. I trained my own guide dog as I seemed to have little hope oif being able to go to Australia to get a qualified dog. Although perhaps not as good as a professionally-trained dog, she has enabled me to go to many places to which I could not go by myself. There are many instances where she has guided me around potential dangers such as holes or scaffolding.— Yours, etc., JEWEL BLANCH. June 9, 1963.

Sir, —I see that Round Table. New Zealand, recently decided to establish an association to provide guide dogs' for the blind. Your report further stated that an interim committee including an Auckland guide-dog owner had been set up. Then followed a statement from the leaders of the two organisations for the blind criticising this proposal and describing it as one “which, to say the least, is of very limited value.” Surely the Round Table organisation would not set up an association to provide these dogs unless it was convinced that they were of real value to blind persons. The presence of a guide-dog owner on the new committee indicates that these dogs must be of value to their users. Why, then, are the two organisations for the blind so opposed to the new proposal?—-Yours, etc., WONDERING. June 9, 1963.