12/01/2025
Please remember that working dogs are not there to entertain the public.
Please remember that working dogs are assisting their handlers.
Please accept the fact that working dogs are....WORKING.
I am incredibly proud of Rowley for remaining focused on his job and keeping me safe on my train journey yesterday when it seemed like everyone was trying their absolute hardest to make his job more difficult!
Rowley was guiding me to the passenger assistance meeting point but suddenly halted as someone stepped out directly in front of us to ask “what’s the dog training for”. I said “he’s not training he’s my working Guide Dog”. I then cued Rowley to continue forward. I’m not sure why they needed to know so urgently that they physically blocked me like that.
When I got to the assistance meeting point I gave my name and explained that I had booked assistance via the app. The lady asked where I was travelling to and told me which platform to go to. I explained that I am visually impaired and don’t know where that is which is why I had booked the assistance. She looked a little bit annoyed and told me to wait ‘over there’.
I am legally blind but I do have some useable central vision, it’s a little bit like looking through a straw. When talking to people I tend to look at their face but this is all I can see, if people are pointing or waving their hands around at the same time I have no idea so ‘over there’ doesn’t really mean anything.
I looked down at her hands and asked “where do I need to wait?” assuming that she would point or gesture again and that I might see it this time. She didn’t gesture, she just said “over there by the chairs”. I don’t think she really understood that I was sight impaired and I didn’t have the energy to explain it again so I instead asked Rowley to “find the chair” and hoped he would take me to the right ones which thankfully he did.
After around 10 minutes or so a man came over to help me but decided that a good time to try and pet Rowley would be whilst he was guiding me down the stairs! I am so proud of Rowley for ignoring him as I could have otherwise lost my balance and fallen. The train guard also tried to pet Rowley as soon as we entered the train carriage, Rowley was busy trying to find me a seat not interested in being fussed.
Rowley loves to meet people and I usually do say yes if people ask me at a sensible time to pet him, such as when we are seated safely or stood still, but when he is in the middle of guiding me or doing another task then it’s not only incredibly frustrating but also potentially dangerous. Please give Assistance Dogs space to do their jobs.
Rowley got lots of extra treats when we got to our destination which he most definitely earned and thoroughly enjoyed!
