Access still denied to helpful canines in some public spaces

CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. It’s National Guide Dog Month across Canada, and despite the common use of service animals and regulations permitting them access, many people still find their service animals are refused at doors of retailers, restaurants and even taxi cabs.

Shawny Ross, of Charlottetown, P.E.I., tells a story of when she and her husband were waiting after a public event for a cab to pick them up. Quinten, her guide dog, was with her.

When the taxi arrived, the driver rolled down his window, said he would not allow her guide dog into the vehicle and drove away.

“Since 1980, when the Human Rights Act was introduced in Prince Edward Island, it has been against the law to discriminate against blind individuals who are accompanied by a guide dog — or deny them access or service,” says Ross, who now depends on Callie, a guide dog from Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind.

The CNIB Foundation is calling for an end to discrimination against Canadians who depend on guide dogs for mobility, safety and increased independence. The CNIB declared September 2019 to be Guide Dog Awareness Month.

Discrimination includes denial of access to any premises to which the public would normally have access. Such discrimination is prohibited everywhere in Canada and contravenes the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

“Despite it being illegal to deny access or refuse service, it happens every day — especially in taxis, restaurants, hotels and stores,” says John Rafferty, CNIB’S president and CEO.

“We’re asking businesses to open their doors to Canadians with guide dogs. Not only is it the right thing to do, it’s the law.”

Businesses have a responsibility to respect the rights of guide dog teams, he says, adding that if a guide dog’s behaviour is inappropriate, the business has the right to ask the guide dog handler to leave, but it is unacceptable to ask for proof that a dog is a guide dog.

When competing rights are an issue — such as allergies — a compromise needs to be made to maintain the rights of everyone involved.

Whether it’s avoiding obstacles, stopping at curbs and steps, or negotiating traffic, a guide dog fosters independence for their handler. Guide dogs are among the most highly trained dogs in the world, performing tasks that require intensive standardized training, and are specifically trained to assist someone who is blind or partially sighted with mobility.

In fact, guide dogs are the only service dogs trained to disobey their handler’s command if it will put their handler at risk. The safety of their handler is the guide dog's No. 1 priority.

The guide dog’s harness and U-shaped handle facilitates communication between the dog and its handler. In this partnership, the person provides directional commands and the dog ensures the team’s safety.

Guide dogs are not pets. They do serious work.

If you encounter someone and their guide dog, follow proper etiquette to ensure the safety of the guide dog team:

• Avoid talking to or interacting with the guide dog.

• Do not pet, feed or distract the guide dog, as it can potentially affect its training and their handler's safety. When the guide dog is not in harness, you may ask the handler if it's OK to pet the dog.

• If you own a dog, keep it on a leash and under control. When approaching a guide dog team with your dog, clearly introduce yourself to the person and say, “I’m passing on your left and I have a dog with me.”

Guide dog handlers should contact the Human Rights Commission if they are refused service.

For information on how to support guide dogs in your community, visit guidedogchampions.ca.