Celebrating guide dogs with an AUT star
You’d be forgiven for thinking every day is doggo day with the internet full of cute pictures and memes - but the last Wednesday of each April celebrates a very special kind of canine.
April 26 marks the 34th International Guide Dog Day and just the second since AUT senior lecturer in nursing Dr Sally Britnell welcomed Sienna into her life.
Sally, who’s currently on sabbatical, says guide dog Sienna has had a huge impact since their “partnership” started 13 months ago, in more ways than one might think.
“Visual fatigue is the big thing. Before I got Sienna I'd arrive at work tired from the trip,” Sally says.
“I see just five degrees out on the left-hand side so if there's a lot of moving things it makes me feel nauseous. Anything that takes a lot of visual energy is tiring. Having Sienna gives me more energy for work."
Sally, who lives alone, says the general companionship has also been a big boost.
"The company is nice. You can be isolated and in your own little world and I didn’t realise I wasn’t going out,” she says. Since Sienna arrived that’s changed, including a trip to an audio-described theatre show as well as regular hang outs with other guide dog handlers.
It’s also increased the number of interactions she has with people, both at work and in general.
"I think Sienna’s become the office emotional support dog,” Sally laughs. “People come in for a cuddle or, if they've had a bad day, they'll pop in and say ‘hi’.”
Stranger, however, is the difference in how people approach Sally since she got her guide dog.
"When I was using my cane, no one would come up and talk,” she says. “I wonder if it's because people are scared of social stigma and things like that? I'm quite happy if people come up and talk about my eyesight.”
With Sienna, however, things are different. As one of around 160 working guide dogs in Aotearoa, she’s something of a beacon for other people.
In the office that’s not such a big issue. Sienna is likely to be out of her harness, meaning she’s not working, and can enjoy a little attention.
When Sally is out and about, however, it can actually be dangerous as a recent trip to Sylvia Park proved.
"We were there for just 45 minutes on a particular mission. Four people stopped and patted her without asking and she became distracted.
"She then walked me straight into a sign that was actually bigger than I am, one of those big video ones,” Sally says.
She recognises Sienna is a big attraction for people and does make allowances for that.
“If people ask, I often take the harness off so people can pet her,” Sally says.
“But many don’t. Somebody came up to us just a couple of weeks ago and just started petting her. I said ‘please don’t’ and she was, like, ‘but it doesn’t say not to’.”
That’s forced Sally to find a sign she can adapt, asking people to leave Sienna alone when she’s in her harness in the hope such distractions are minimised.
According to Blind Low Vision NZ, an average of three people in Aotearoa each day find out they’re going blind, but only 120 puppies are bred each year.
It gets worse. Only one-third of those go on to become working guide dogs after two years of rigorous training. That means there’s a long waiting list to secure the support which can have such a huge impact on someone’s life.
“I was on the waiting list for around 18 months, and I was fairly close to the top because I was working,” Sally says.
And then there’s the cost. Unlike some other countries where everything is paid for, Sally is liable for all costs - although Blind Low Vision NZ may be able to provide financial support in cases of veterinary emergencies or sudden illness.
And Sienna has a big appetite, with food costing $115 every two and a half weeks.
But the benefits for Sally far outweigh those negatives and it’s clear just how close the two are.
“She's stubborn, but she's awesome. She's got her own personality. I love it. It’s really a partnership,” Sally concludes.
Useful links
- More information on Blind Low Vision NZ and their work to provide guide dogs – which costs around $175,000 for each one
- Sally has also set up a Facebook page for Sienna and regularly posts photos of their adventures, which has included appearances on both TVNZ’s Seven Sharp and Three’s AM Show in recent months.
- They both also featured in a Stuff article on accessibility in the city, which covered their visit to Auckland Art Gallery.