[NAGDU] Guiding Eyes dog attacked twice, owner speaking up for all service animals

[Ginger Kutsch]

Guiding Eyes dog attacked twice, owner speaking up for all service animals

April 25, 2018

http://www.localsyr.com/news/local-news/guiding-eyes-dog-attacked-twice-owne
r-speaking-up-for-all-service-animals/1139855296

 

Guiding Eyes dog, "Caffrey," his job is to be part of a team with his owner
Tonya Corujo. Together, they go to a variety of places, run errands and
maybe even take a trip.

 

In the past few months, Caffrey was attacked by the same dog twice in and
around Corujo's apartment building. Though puncture wounds to Caffrey's ears
have since healed -- Corujo says he still gets anxious.

 

Inside their home, Corujo says Caffrey is fine, but leaving the apartment to
work is a challenge since the attacks.

 

"When he hears or sees a dog, he gets a bit anxious and he wants to cower
behind me because he just isn't sure what the dog is going to do," Corujo
said. "Which is not fair to me because he's been professionally trained and
he shouldn't be afraid in his own environment."

Guiding Eyes dogs, takes two years and can cost about $50,000.

 

Guiding Eyes prepares each dog to handle everyday situations and adapt
easily no matter where their travels make take them.

 

When Corujo and Caffrey are out, they take initiative when there is a person
with another dog approaching them. Corujo puts Caffrey in a "sit" position
and then lets the other person and dog pass by.

 

If someone is approaching her with a young child, Corujo says she will use
it as a teaching opportunity.

 

"I start explaining that, you know, he is a guy dog and this is what he does
for me and this is how he protects me. Once I do that, I might let them pet
him after that," Corujo said.

 

This service dog etiquette is common, according to Ben Cawley, director of
admissions for Guiding Eyes for the Blind.

 

"If you're not sure what to do, you can approach and say, 'hi', but that can
be distracting to the team," Cawley explained. "Ask the handler if the dog
can say, "hello," and take a break from work. They have a lot of
responsibility when they're out. They worked hard and trained to be in
public spaces interacting with the public."

 

Cawley says Guiding Eyes graduates like Caffrey are ambassadors for the
program, so it's crucial for everyone to understand their role and properly
approach them when they're working.

 

Guiding Eyes is working with Caffrey to help him shake anxiety issues from
the attacks. 

 

"Dog attacks can cause injury but also mental stress," Cawley shared. "We
will work on getting the dog comfortable with guide work and help the dog
find work positive again. Sometimes we retire teams because a guide dog is
stressed out and the handler can be stressed as well."

 

Every day, Corujo says she is doing her part to make Caffrey's work life
positive again.

 

As the team continues to work together, Corujo says she hopes her message
will not only help other service dogs stay safe, but encourage all pet
owners to be more responsible.

 

Since the second attack, the a Syracuse Police Dog Control Officer handling
the case tells us the dog that attacked Caffrey has been removed from the
building and the owner could face a fine after being ticketed.

 

Welcoming a New Guide Dog Team to Your Community:

-Don't distract a working dog.

-Don't give the dog table food.

-Keep your pet on his leash. 

 -Always ask for permission before interacting with the dog

-Help spot service dog fraud. If you encounter a service dog team that you
believe to be fraudulent, alerting the handler, management or law
enforcement can make a big difference.