Guidance and assistance dogs are more than companions — they're life-changers.
This International Guide Dog Day, the NSW Food Authority is celebrating the pawsitive impact these furry heroes have and reminding food businesses and the wider community that Guide Dogs are not pets.
Guide Dogs give people with low vision or blindness the independence and confidence to safely navigate daily life. However, Guide Dog handlers continue to face refusals of access to public places – including to restaurants, clubs and cafes.
By law, assistance animals such as Guide Dogs must be allowed in all public places – including the indoor dining areas of cafés, restaurants, pubs and clubs. This is distinct from pet dogs, which are only allowed in outdoor dining areas and only at the discretion of the business.
Alan Edwards works in the Food Incident Response and Complaints team which supports the Food Authority and he knows first hand the extraordinary difference Guide Dogs make.
With his Guide Dog Mercury, Alan, who lives with low vision, finds it easy to stay involved in work and enjoy an active social life.
"I love getting out and about, meeting up with friends and family at restaurants and cafes," Alan says. "Mercury is priceless. He's made my life so much easier. He's a trained professional, knows how to behave in public and can go wherever anybody else can go."
Alan said he had personally experienced challenges eating out, but often a conversation was all that was needed. "People often can't believe how well groomed and behaved Mercury is. They soon realise that accomodating a guide dog is easier than they think"
Acting CEO of the NSW Food Authority Andrew Davies reminded food businesses they must permit an assistance animal in areas used by their customers .
"This is legislated under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992, the Companion Animals Act 1998 (NSW) and Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code," Mr Davies said.
"All hospitality and food service businesses should ensure all staff are fully aware of these legal obligations."
