In our days, despite today’s technological innovations seeing eye dogs or guide dogs are still the most effective help to people with vision impairments who wants to live an active life. That is why we emphasize spreading information to seeing people on how to behave properly when they cross path with a guide dog and his owner.

Facts

• Today in Hungary there’s only less than 1% of blind people are able to rely on the help of a guide dog. Lot more neededIt takes to 2 years for a puppy to become a guide dog and unfortunately, only very few are suitable to meet the high expectations.
• The newly trained guide dogs and their brand new owners are practicing together for months under the watchful eye of a therapist, until they can successfully pass their final test. For this reason the expenses are very high.
• The government nowhere in the world finances of the training of seeing eye dogs, maybe the contribute a little.
• The costs are mainly covered by foundations, or donations of companies as well as private citizens.
• In Hungary visually impaired people can only attain such guide dog with the help of donors.

The rights of people commuting with guide dogs

27/2009. (X / 1.3.) Of the Ministry of Social Affairs

§ 9 (1) of the people. 7 /. In order to ensure equal access to public services, as defined in §-a (1), the owner and the trainer (hereinafter referred to as the guide dog employing persons) entitled to an assistance dog to stay with and use while at,( except for closed for the public areas) under § 4 of f. point), institution, field service and other, open to all facility (area), in particular public transport means, stores, including the food supply stores and catering business as well, mall markets, fairs, facility, playground, public cultural areas, educational, social services, child welfare and child protection institutions, public spa and bath areas, a zoo, and other a public area.
In accordance with § 9 (3) in an establishment (area) equipped with and an escalator a person using a guide dog entitled to the use of an operational stationary escalator.
§ 10 (2) applying that the owner of a guide dog can use the assistance of that dog without a muzzle.

What are the capacities of a guide dog?

• It learned that when he’s on the harness with his owner, to move a little before him at a steady pace, lead him but to pull him too hard.
• It helps in keeping the directions of the owner, especially not to let him walk off the sidewalk by accident
• With stops it indicates where to step up or down as well as the pavement edges and steps.
• It learned the directions (right, left, forward, turn), it will find the bus stop, finds an empty seat on the bus, it will guide it’s owner to the road crossing, the entrance of a building or a bank machine(ATM).
• If possible, avoids people, road hazards and all those obstacles on the sidewalks which would pose difficulties to their owner if they would only use a white stick.
• He learned that sometimes you have to refuse to execute the received command: it will disobey command and will not go forward if there is a pothole on the road, or there is unavoidable obstacle.

What does a guide dog NOT know?

• Do not forget that a guide dog is not human!
• Can not interpret the colors of crossing lights and is not able to decide alone when to safely cross the road.
• A guide dog does not know the numbers, so they can not communicate to their owners what number of bus arrived at the stop. The stops are not recognized by him while traveling, so the owner may also need the help of others in order to be able to exit the bus at his desired stop
• In an unknown/new area the owner must gain some information in advance of the route for the dog does not know which way to turn at what corner!
• If there is no harness on the guide dog and at the times when he is not working he is the same as any other a dog. While walking or playing he is not be expected the things that are related to his work (guiding).

How can YOU help effectively?

•  If you offer assistance to the owner of a guide dog, approach from the opposite side of the animal, and also ask how to help.
• Please, I do not caress any guide dog while at work,or any other times without the permission of the owner!
• Never offer food to a guide dog!
• When giving directions to the owner of a guide dog always state exactly which way to go and instead of hand gestures, specify the exact directions, say the number of buses coming!
• At a crossing it is perfeclty enough to state when it is Safe to go!
• If you are with your own dog/dogs, do not let them approach the waiting or working guide dog!
• If you are able, please give a donation or help by giving one percent of your tax to help further the training of guide dogs! A lot of people are waiting for it!