Guide dog in Singapore

I fist blogged about Esme back in December 2011 when she first arrived.




http://javertworld.blogspot.sg/2011/12/singapore-singapores-second-guide-dog.html



2.5 years has passed and Esme and her handler Cassandra are still being discriminated today. See articles below.



As I have blogged back in 2012, I first know about guide dogs after watching a documentary 30 years ago. It is strange that Singapore being a “first” world county and is so ignorant on welfare and social issue.



Sad…..







TITLE: Public education on guide dogs 'needs to be ramped up'

10 Sep



It has been two years since Esme the guide dog arrived in Singapore to help her blind handler Cassandra Chiu navigate Singapore's streets and buildings, but the duo are still regularly turned away at restaurants and retail stores.

SINGAPORE: It has been two years since Esme the guide dog arrived in Singapore to help her blind handler Cassandra Chiu navigate Singapore's streets and buildings, but the duo are still regularly turned away at restaurants and retail stores.

Last Sunday, ice-cream chain Haagen-Dazs refused Ms Chiu and her dog indoor seating, even though she presented the manager with a photo identity card supported by the Ministry of Social and Family Development to allow guide dogs into public places.

Describing the incident on Esme's Facebook page, Ms Chiu said the cafe staff repeatedly told her no pets were allowed, even though she had explained that Esme was not a pet but a working dog to assist the blind. The group eventually left.

Pets and animals are not allowed into food outlets unless the establishment is licensed to do so, but guide dogs are exempted from the rule.

The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore also states that halal-certified eateries can allow guide dogs on their premises.

Contacted on Monday, Ms Chiu said a staff member from Haagen-Dazs had called to apologise.

"I had explained many times that this is not a pet - this is a guide dog and I need it as I am blind. At the end of the day, it is not about Haagen-Dazs or any particular merchant. It's about my basic right to go about doing normal day-to-day activities."

Although rules are on her side, it is still "down to the people on the ground" to permit them entry. "On a daily basis, I suffer rejections at least once or twice, mostly at eating places, including coffee shops," said Ms Chiu, who added that this problem has pushed her to turn to shopping online instead of at stores. Public transport was once a major problem but the situation has since improved, although taxis still remain an issue, she added.

Responding to media queries, Haagen-Dazs' Managing Director for Asian Markets Wuthichai Ratanasumawongs said: "We sincerely apologise for this mistake in judgment made by our shop staff. It was wrong, and we are taking steps to ensure that this does not happen again. While we are taking steps, we need some more time to investigate and finalise the action steps. Once again, our sincere apologies to all."

Dr Francis Seow-Choen, Chairman of the Guide Dogs Association of the Blind, said businesses' concerns include the fear that giving guide dogs entry is against government regulations, that the dogs may offend Muslim customers, or that the animals may urinate or defecate on the premises.

He gave the assurance that guide dogs are well-disciplined. "They pee or poop only on command. They are trained not to bark, and not to be distracted by other humans, cats, rats or small animals. They also don't go around sniffing people." He added that public education on guide dogs needs to be ramped up, as there are plans to bring in more of them in future.

Singapore welcomed its first guide dog in 2005, followed by Esme in 2011, and a third last year.

-TODAY







Life with Esme, the guide dog

My Paper follows blind psychotherapist Cassandra Chiu and guide dog Esme around on a typical day out and about. -My Paper

Joy Fang



Mon, Dec 03, 2012

My Paper

SINGAPORE - Last Saturday, psychotherapist Cassandra Chiu made the news when her Facebook post about how she was treated at a Forever 21 clothing outlet went viral.

Ms Chiu, who is blind, had her guide dog with her at the store, and was repeatedly stopped by staff.

Such incidences, sadly, are common in her life.

"Many Singaporeans have not understood or accepted the use of a guide dog. They are not ready yet," said Ms Chiu, who is the second person in Singapore to be matched with a guide dog.

Under the law, such dogs are allowed everywhere, including on MRT trains, in hospitals and in halal restaurants, except hospital operating theatres and the zoo.

But the 33-year-old said she often faces negative reactions whenever she takes Esme, her Labrador guide dog, into shops, eateries and other indoor public places.

She has been scolded and refused entry into places when Esme is with her. Once, at International Plaza, she and her friends were rejected by three restaurants in a row.

When this happens, she tries to show the staff the legislation regarding guide dogs and her Singapore Association of the Visually Handicapped member's identification card, in order to explain her need for a guide dog, usually to no avail.

Once, she was even pushed down an escalator by an angry shopper who couldn't understand why Ms Chiu had to take a dog into a mall. Ms Chiu had to be tended to by paramedics.

That is why there are few guide dogs here, as blind people are unable to get past the fear of rejection, she said.

Ultimately, it is "down to the retail manager of the shop and how understanding and sympathetic he is to the use of a guide dog", she said.

"Many basically don't care, even though there is legislation in place."

This is unlike in countries such as the United States, Australia or Japan, where rejecting a blind person with a guide dog can be seen as discrimination. A company or person who treats a person with a guide dog differently can be subject to prosecution.

SINGAPORE: Singapore's second guide dog for the blind has arrived.
21 December 2011

Bred and trained in Australia, she has found her new home in Bukit Panjang in central Singapore.

Esme looks just like any two-year-old Labrador, but she's not a pet when she has her working harness on.

For vision-impaired Cassandra Chiu, Esme acts as her pair of eyes, and an indispensable guide.

So too much friendly attention is not always a good thing.

"This is a working dog, it would be best if she's not distracted with pats and treats because she has to stay focused on what she's doing in getting me safely from one place to another," said Ms Chiu.

Singapore law allows for guide dogs on trains and buses, and also in restaurants.

But not everyone welcomes Esme.

Dr Francis Seow-Choen, chairman of the Guide Dogs Association of the Blind, said: "Cassandra, in the last few days has been going on the MRT, buses, but in the more individualised forms of transport like taxis, there are queries, there're rejections. When you go into malls there're still rejections.

"(The guide dogs) are very well trained, they don't make a noise, they don't bark, they don't chase little animals or children. Therefore people can put their fears to rest that these dogs will cause a disturbance, because they will not."

After undergoing training almost her entire life in Melbourne, Esme is now in the final stage of her settling-in programme in Singapore.

For this, her Australian trainer Aaron Horsington was here for a week.

"Working with people like Cassandra, and being able to see the dog moving on and providing that person with a service... that's very meaningful. Seeing that end product really is what keeps me going back again, and starting with the next group of dogs," he said.

The cost of training guide dogs is high - about S$40,000 per dog for a two-year programme.

But for Ms Chiu, The Singapore Guide Dogs Association of the Blind paid for Esme and her training.

Ms Chiu will be responsible for Esme's daily maintenance, but this, Dr Seow said, is inexpensive.

"The costs, once you get the dog, are minimal. We encourage our clients to feed their dogs dry food, which actually comes up to about S$1 a day," said Dr Seow.

Dr Seow said they are also looking at insurance for their guide dogs in the future.

"Unfortunately, the symbol of being vision-impaired in Singapore has been the white cane for a very long time. Hopefully, in time to come, Singaporeans will recognise that there is a different form of mobility for vision-impaired individuals as well," said Ms Chiu.

With both Ms Chiu and Esme leading the way, the association said it is expecting four more guide dogs from Victoria next year.



I didn’t know how rare guide dogs are in Singapore. Esme is only the second one in Singapore.

I had the fortune of meeting the first, Kendra and her owner Mr Alvin Ng not once but twice!

Kendra was really lovely and obedient and she sat quietly under the seat on the bus which I didn’t even notice until she got up.

I first know about guide dog almost 30 years ago when I watched a documentary on TV. I am a little surprise that Singaporeans are still ignorant of them and the rights they have.

Dog problems in Singapore and our well paid Civil Servant

Dec 19, 2007

AVA checks estates and acts on tip-offs on dogs

I REFER to the letter, 'Check estates, parks to spot unleashed dogs' (ST, Dec 10), by Ms Goh Ee Ca.

Upon receipt of feedback from the public on dogs straying or dogs not being muzzled, officers of the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) will request details such as the usual time and location where the dogs are observed to stray, as well as the address of the dog owner, if available.

Such information is useful in helping our officers conduct a thorough investigation and take appropriate action. Even if a caller is unable to tell us the address of the dog owner, our officers will still visit the site to investigate and take enforcement action where needed.

In addition, AVA also conducts routine inspection visits to housing estates and other public places.

Last year, 135 dogs were found straying and appropriate enforcement action was taken against the owners.

We would like to remind owners that all dogs must be leashed in public places. In addition to being leashed, the following breeds of dogs and their crosses must also be muzzled in public places: Pit Bull (including the American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and American Bulldog), Akita, Neapolitan Mastiff, Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Boerboel, Bull Terrier, Doberman Pinscher, Rottweiler, German Shepherd (including the Belgian Shepherd Dog and East European Shepherd Dog) and Mastiff (including the Bull Mastiff, Perro De Presa Canario, Cane Corso and Dogue De Bordeaux).

Any person who contravenes the leashing and muzzling rule shall be liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding $5,000 for each of the offences.

Goh Shih Yong

Assistant Director Corporate Communications for Chief Executive Officer Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority

Recently there are many argument on our Main Stream Newspapers regarding dogs being free to run about in pubic places.

In Singapore, dogs are to be leased when in public places. However these law is not really enforced fully.

Recently there had been a attacked on a young girl by a dog.

This sparks off debates between dog lovers and the general publics.

AVA does not seem to do anything about the situation. They just tell us, the law is there so blame it on your people if you got killed by a dog since you did not report him in the first place.

Check out the standard of the letter to the forum by a senior civil servant from AVA.

Firstly I think the letter does not serve any purpose except telling what the public already knows.

In the 1st paragraph Goh Shih Yong just states what AVA will do when they receive a call from the publics on dogs. Note if you see a dogs not being muzzled or leased in the park. Not only you have to note the time and places at that moment, you also have to ASKED THE OWNER HIS ADDRESS. How clever is that?!

So if not address given by you. Then you can’t blame AVA for not following up when you kid is being mauled by a dog.

The letter then went on to tell people what AVA is doing and also petted themselves on the back by telling people they found 135 straying dogs.

Then the letter ends with a long list of dogs which must be muzzled in public places.

Consider this scenario:

You: Excuse me sir, I notice your dog is not muzzled. May I know what species it belong to?

Dog Owner: I not going to tell you.

You: After check the “breed of dog” book which I happen to be carrying with me now. I think you dog is a Perro De Presa Canario. And under the law and AVA guide line, you dog must be muzzled in public.

Dog Owner: I don’t want leh. What can you do?

You: In that case, I have to call AVA and report you. May I have your address please.

Dog Owner: Max KILLED!!!