Guide dogs’ pat on back
Praise for businesses and services
Sarah Jane McDonald Businesses and services in South Ayrshire are being given a pat on the back by a guide dog charity for being accessible to owners.
Robert Logan, 67, of Seafield in Ayr, has been using guide dogs since 1969.
And reflecting on his 46 years with seven guide dogs, he was full of praise for the charity.
Robert said: “I cannot speak more highly of the Guide Dog Association.
“Before I got the dog, I couldn’t even get to the bottom of the garden, now I take my dogs to Somerset Park to go to football matches every single week.”
Robert currently lives with four- yearold Indie, a Golden Labrador/ Retriever with a larger than life personality.
He added: “I’ve been really fortunate in Ayr, back in the day it used to be an unwritten understanding you could not go to certain places because of the dog but I think people have a better understanding now and with the back up of the law, I rarely have difficulty these days.”
Guide dogs mobility team member, Emma Brown, said: “We have had very few reports of guide dog owners in South Ayrshire being denied access because of their assistance dog, which is very welcome.
“Guide dog owners rely on their dogs for mobility and independence. This is recognised in the Equality Act 2010, which requires service providers not to discriminate against people with disabilities, South Ayrshire is fast gaining a reputation as a welcoming place for guide dog owners to get out and about.”
Research by Guide Dogs Scotland uncovered that nearly eight out of 10 assistance dogs owners have at some point been turned away because of their dog.
If you are a business owner and would like to know more about access for assistance dogs owners, or tips to make your service more accessible to people with sight loss, please email Glasgow@ guidedogs. org. uk or Communications at SPCA on 01383 841020