Brave Kylie dogged by lack of awareness
ASSISTANCE DOGS ARE REAL, THEY ARE HERE TO DO A JOB, EVERYONE HAS DIFFERENT NEEDS, THEY ARE LIKE GUIDE DOGS
KYLIE Martin’s medical assistance dog, Destiny, is her “lifeline”, helping her negotiate life with post-traumatic stress disorder, but she believes the important role of her canine companion is not always fully appreciated in Tasmania.
Since moving from Queensland, Ms Martin says there have been instances where she and Destiny have been made to feel unwelcome and excluded.
The 49-year-old said it happened during an outing with her support worker, her sister and her border collie to the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens soon after she arrived in January.
“A woman walked up and very abruptly said, ‘Dogs aren’t allowed here’. I told her Destiny was licensed and later made a complaint with management,” she said.
Ms Martin said management responded three days later, apologising and saying they had been having lots of issues with dogs on the grounds and she was welcome to visit again.
A statement from the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Garden said dogs and other pets were not permitted; however, accredited guide dogs, hearing dogs and assistance animals were.
“Owners of assistance dogs may be asked to show that the dog is an assistance dog and meets hygiene and behaviour standards.”
Ms Martin said she experienced a similar misunderstanding a couple of weeks
KYLIE MARTIN
later while visiting the Sorell markets with her 19-year-old son and 18-year-old daughter, where she was told dogs weren’t allowed, before staff apologised when they recognised that Destiny was an assistance dog.
A spokeswoman for the Sorell markets said a mistake was made and they go out of their way to ensure guide dogs and assistance dogs are welcome at the venue.
Ms Martin moved to Sorell from Queensland to be closer to her sister for support. “There’s no understanding, no awareness, no signage. I just want to be made to feel welcome in a strange place.”
She has post-traumatic stress disorder caused by domestic violence trauma as well as major panic disorder.
“My ex-husband didn’t allow me to go out in society, for me to have Destiny I’m not focusing on the PTSD triggers, I am focusing on her, not the world around me,” she said.
She said Destiny not only helped her to get out in public, but had also been trained to help during her panic attacks.
Ms Martin said the border collie, who she has had for four years, was fully licensed and wears a jacket that says
she is working. “Assistance dogs are real, they are here to do a job, everyone has different needs, they are like guide dogs,” she said.
Tasmania Anti-Discrimination Commissioner Sarah
Bolt said the Anti-Discrimination Act makes disability discrimination unlawful.
“Based on complaints and inquiries received by my office, it appears there is a lack of awareness in the community
regarding why people use assistance dogs,” she said.
“Be aware, be considerate, if you’re aware of guide dogs, have some awareness of assistance dogs,” she said.