Guide dogs walk to Woy Woy

Guide dog users walked from Gosford to Woy Woy late last month to get better treatment for their dogs.

They walked in support of a call by Guide Dogs NSW not to feed or pat guide dogs and to keep other dogs on a lead.

The 12-kilometre Brisbane Water Challenge walk coincided with International Guide Dog Day on April 28 and was used to suggest the public admire guide dogs from a distance and not distract them when they were working.

The appeal follows new research that shows nine out of 10 guide dog users say their dogs have been distracted in the past year by people attempting to feed or pat them.

The same proportion report having had their dogs disturbed, and even attacked, by pet dogs that are not on leads, according to Guide Dogs regional manager Mr John Payne.

He said the new data was used during Guide Dog Week (April 26 to May 2) in a move to better educate the general public on guide dog etiquette.

More than 30 people with impaired vision from the Central Coast, Hunter Valley and Sydney participated in the walk to mark the independence of guide dog users in the community.

"The challenge served to remind local residents that when in harness, guide dogs are working to orientate their handlers safely and independently throughout the community," Mr Payne said.

"Guide dog users understand that people have the best intentions when they pat or acknowledge their guide dogs but this distracts the guide dog from doing its job, and the safety and independence is put at risk.

"It costs approximately $30,000 to raise and train a guide dog.

"All it takes is one unfortunate encounter, especially with domestic dogs, and this may cut short the working life of a guide dog."

Mr Payne said currently there were more than 260 guide dog users in NSW and the ACT.

For more information about guide dog etiquette, visit www.guidedogs.com.au

Press release, 5 May 2010 Sally Edgar, Guide Dogs NSW/ACT