[nagdu] Guide Dogs UK

[Ann Chiappetta]

Hi Sean;
thanks for sharing this.
Be Well,
Annie C. & Verona
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Sean Moore" <ginsenshi at mchsi.com>
To: <nagdu at nfbnet.org>; <gdui-friends at yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Saturday, March 21, 2009 9:50 PM
Subject: [nagdu] Guide Dogs UK


> Something I found out of bordom
>
> Ground breaking assistance dog to guide blind wheelchair user
> 13 March 2009
>
> Young and registered blind, electric-wheelchair user Stephanie Read has 
> had her life completely transformed by the UK's first ever dual-purpose 
> Guide Dog and Canine Partner, trained to guide a wheelchair user.
>
> Miracle dog Vegas is the only registered assistance dog to perform the 
> dual roles of guiding a blind person and helping a wheelchair user; 
> trained in a ground-breaking project between the charities Guide Dogs and 
> Canine Partners.
>
> Stephanie (26), from Torquay in Devon, was a prisoner in her own home, 
> lacking confidence and isolated from the outside world until the arrival 
> of Vegas - a five-year-old black Labrador.
>
> Stephanie has Macular Hyperplasia, meaning she only has a very small 
> amount of vision. She also has Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, which affects her 
> joints and organs; she has been a wheelchair user for the past 10 years.
>
> Requiring help to get dressed and carry out the most basic domestic 
> tasks - from answering the phone to picking up a book or newspaper - 
> Stephanie has previously relied almost entirely upon a carer, sometimes 
> waiting many hours for assistance to arrive.
>
> Now, with Vegas by her side, Stephanie is able to carry out the simple 
> daily tasks that are usually taken so much for granted, putting on her own 
> clothes, using the washing machine, taking money out of a cash point, 
> picking up the telephone, answering the door, and being able to decide 
> what time to turn into bed without having to rely on when a helper is 
> available.
>
> Vegas also provides Stephanie with the freedom and confidence to leave her 
> home when she wants, without needing to wait for a friend or helper to 
> escort her.  They enjoy regular outings around Torquay and when at busy 
> roads crossings, Vegas even reaches up and presses the pelican crossing 
> button with her paw.
>
> Vegas was initially trained by Canine Partners and began working with 
> Stephanie in March 2006.  The guide dog training took place earlier this 
> year, with Vegas recently qualifying as the first dual-purpose assistance 
> dog to guide a visually impaired person in an electric-wheelchair.
>
> David Bailey, Guide Dogs' district team manager explains:  "Vegas has an 
> extra long harness handle, allowing her to walk safely in front of 
> Stephanie's wheelchair.  As with other guide dog owners, Stephanie 
> recognises if she should stop, or move to the left or right, by sensing 
> the movement in the handle."
>
> Andy Cook, director of operations at Canine Partners comments: "Stephanie 
> is now leading a truly independent life. She has confidence to go 
> shopping, meet friends and get out on her own.  Although this is a pilot 
> project, we hope there will be further examples of dual trained assistance 
> dogs benefiting visually impaired wheelchair users in the future.  It goes 
> to show what is possible when two charities work closely together."
>
> Stephanie, who has always been a tidy person, now has a spotless home, 
> thanks to Vegas.  She explains: "Anything left on the floor is picked up 
> by Vegas, regardless of whether it needs to be moved or not!  Even my cat, 
> Mimmy, counts as clutter; Vegas rushes to nudge the front door shut before 
> she can dash inside the house!"
>
> The bond between Stephanie and Vegas is extraordinary. When she recently 
> fell out of her wheelchair, it took an hour for help to arrive.  In the 
> meantime, as the rain poured down, loyal Vegas remained next to Stephanie, 
> providing comfort and reassurance.
>
> "She's transformed my freedom, mobility and independence," says Stephanie. 
> "Vegas is a super dog - and I'm so grateful to Canine Partners and Guide 
> Dogs for this miracle."
>
>
> Yours,
> Sean Moore &
> Southeastern Guide Dog, Franklin
>
> Contact information
> Home: (404) 300-9908
> Mobile: (478) 258-4103
>
> Email: linkstarwind at cox.net, ginsenshi at mchsi.com
> Website: http://www.baltox1.bravehost.com
>
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>
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