Buddy leading way for guide dog access

BUDDY the labrador has taken the lead in a campaign to make Kenfig Hill guide dog friendly.

Three-year-old Buddy and his owner, Faith O’Sullivan, visited shops and businesses in the village, handing out leaflets with advice on helping customers with sight loss.

Many premises on the high street are now displaying window stickers saying “Assistance Dogs Welcome”.

Faith and her husband Joseph signed up to take part in a national Guide Dogs campaign entitled High Street Heroes, which sees volunteers visit their local high street to promote the access rights of assistance dogs.

Faith said: “We got a warm welcome from every shop we visited, including Harry’s Sandwich Shop, Arlene’s Florist, building societies, two chemists, the local Spar, the card shop, the estate agents, hairdressers, the funeral directors and three pub restaurants – the Angel, the Prince of Wales and Greenacres.

“Kenfig Hill is full of local businesses and every single one we visited was kind, supportive and very willing to display the sticker.”

Andrea Gordon, engagement manager for Guide Dogs Cymru, said: “Faith and her guide dog Buddy are a familiar sight in Kenfig Hill, and it is good that they feel so welcome there.

“The Equality Act 2010 rules that assistance dog owners have the right to access businesses and services without discrimination. Yet threequarters of owners who responded to a recent survey said they had been refused access at some point because they had their dog with them.”

If your business would like a window sticker, or for advice on helping customers with sight loss, email cymrumt@guidedogs.org.uk