[NAGDU] questions on when to get a dog and how it affects international travel

[Michael Forzano]

I just returned from a trip to the UK and Ireland. Getting the
paperwork was a bit annoying. My dog didn't have the required
ISO-compliant microchip, so she had to be re-chipped and re-vaccinated
for rabies. Because of that there is a 21 day waiting period, which
put me within 5 days of my departure. Normally you can overnight the
paperwork to the USDA to be endorsed, but because it was such a tight
timeline I ended up having to find someone to drive me to the USDA
office an hour or so outside of Seattle, just in case it wouldn't be
returned to me in time. They also require a tapeworm treatment within
5 days of entering the EU. She got hers about 24 hours before my
flight left, and it upset her stomach a bit (her stool was pretty
soft). Thankfully, it was better by the next morning. When I arrived
in the UK, I was met by someone from the animal reception center who
checked the paperwork and her microchip, which took about 5 minutes.
After that, my dog was allowed everywhere and I was not asked any
questions about the paperwork including when entering Ireland and
flying back to the US from Dublin. It was totally worth the hassle for
me as my cane skills are pretty rusty;  it was great to have Delta
with me as I navigated with two other blind cane users in unfamiliar
cities. And with better planning you could hopefully avoid the issues
I had. I would definitely say you would want to have a dog who can
handle the stress and the long flights. As others mentioned, inform
the school that you travel often.

Mike

On 3/15/18, Tracy Carcione via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> In addition to Julie's excellent points, different countries have different
> laws about guide dog access.  My dog was welcome everywhere in Ireland.  I
> don't know about laws in Singapore.
> Also, some dogs thrive on a lot of travel, and some get stressed out by it.
> If at some time you do decide to get a dog, be sure to let the program you
> choose know about your lifestyle, so they can try to pick the dog that will
> suit you best.
> Mike Hingson, who is on the NAGDU board, and on this list, travels a lot,
> and could probably give you good advice.
>
> BTW, I also work in IT, but on the technical side.
> Welcome to the list.
> Tracy
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Ryan Boudwin via
> NAGDU
> Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2018 5:18 AM
> To: NAGDU at nfbnet.org
> Cc: Ryan Boudwin
> Subject: [NAGDU] questions on when to get a dog and how it affects
> international travel
>
> Hey everyone,
>
> I was recently diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa. I'm pretty early in the
> progression; my mid-periphery is gone but I still have reliable central
> vision and some far periphery, but it will get worse over time.
>
> I am now using a cane and have stopped driving. At what point would it make
> sense for me to consider getting a guide dog? I'm 33 and pretty active. I'm
> employed in IT management and I like to go hiking a lot. I walk very fast.
> I am assuming I have too much usable vision to get a dog right now but I'm
> wondering at what vision loss threshold should I look into it?
>
> My other question is that I travel for work from the USA to Ireland 1-2
> times a year for 1-2 weeks each time. I may end up needing to travel to
> Singapore occasionally as well as we are opening an office there.
> Maintaining my ability to travel for work is important to my job and I
> enjoy
> travelling internationally. How do you take a service animal on a long haul
> flight like that? Should I just revert to a cane for trips like that? If I
> did that how would my dog handle my absence? I have a wife and three kids,
> so the dog wouldn't be alone but I've heard guide dogs struggle with
> absences sometimes.
>
> Ryan Boudwin
> ryanboudwin at gmail.com
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