[NAGDU] Ownership in Germany - for Rebecca and everyone who's interested

[Bianka]

Hello all, 

Lisa, I have heard of some instances here in germany that the health insurance grants ownership to the handler, it depends on which insurance you deal with. Usually, the insurance doesn't really care what happens with the dog when he retires. However, it might get difficult when the dog has to retire early or has to be returned to the school because of a missmatch or just bad training. 

It's also a fact that charities providing service dogs in Germany face great difficulties raising the money. It's mainly a cultural thing I guess. I guess if the alternative is having a guide dog or not having a guide dog at all ownership is not the first thing one thinks about :). In Germany, guide dogs and their handlers are a very small minority among the blind. The last time I researched the numbers they talked about 2 to 3 % of the blind but I might have the number wrong. 

Best regards,

Bianka