The entire country was outraged when our guide dog was kicked on a Budapest bus route. Over the past month, Babér’s handler, Réka Kiara Nyőgér, has received an enormous amount of support — which has reinforced her conviction that speaking out against the abuse was the right thing to do.

Réka has summarised her experience in this piece.

“Although I can’t change what happened to Babér, ever since I spoke out publicly, I’ve realized that even the worst situations can have a positive side. I experience this every single day through the feedback I receive, which continually reassures me that I made the right decision. Whether I’m walking down the street, using public transport, at a shopping mall, or simply in a store, I almost always meet at least one person who comes up to us and offers a few kind words of support. They tell me that speaking out against the abuse was the right thing to do and that standing up for my guide dog truly mattered.

Two Important Messages Got Through

On several occasions, someone recognised me and Babér, approached us, and mentioned that they had seen or heard about us in the media. I believe my message came across clearly:

Do not stay silent in the face of any kind of abuse — and let us all look out for guide dogs!

My work involves disability awareness, and I frequently visit primary schools where I give talks about how my guide dog helps me, always emphasising how people should behave around a working guide dog.

Many people joyfully told me that, as a result, they now know: you must not talk to or stroke a guide dog while it is working, as doing so can distract it from its task.

I consider it very important that this message, too, was able to reach a wide audience.

I Wish Every Partnership a Safe Journey!

I also met many people who expressed their admiration for guide dogs and proudly shared that they have been designating one per cent of their income tax to the Baráthegyi Guide Dog School for years, or that they regularly support the organisation’s work through donations. For them, seeing in everyday life just how much a guide dog means to a visually impaired person like me brings an extra sense of joy.

The greatest source of happiness, however, is that many people heard not only the sad and distressing story itself, but also — and I venture to say this — the messages that are important for the entire guide dog community, and which I consciously wanted to convey. I hope that in doing so, I served not only our own cause, but also helped other handlers who travel with guide dogs to go about their way with a little more peace of mind and in greater safety.”

Réka’s video statement can be viewed here.