Businesses must learn about laws that protect guide dogs

Guide dogs belong everywhere – yet businesses, schools, restaurants, taxis, stores, and office settings still continuously refuse entry and deny access to guide dog teams nationwide.

As a Deafblind Canadian working with a guide dog, I would like to remind the public that guide dog teams are allowed access to any premises to which the public has access. In fact, it is the law in all of Canada.

Jefferson is my second guide dog, and we have been partnered since 2013. He is a nine-year-old yellow lab who’s calm natured, observant, and ensures our safety when we’re on an outing.

Over the course of our partnership, Jefferson and I frequently experienced discrimination. We were refused access to restaurants, and hotels and taxis have tried charging me more because I work with a guide dog. I’ve even been told by some small businesses that my dog could not enter until I delivered an explanation about guide dog rights in Canada.

Guide dog handlers do not have to pay cleaning fees for hotels and taxis, and should not have to explain why we have access to public places. Guide dog teams are allowed wherever members of the public are granted full access.

Businesses must be aware of the laws that protect guide dogs and their handlers. To learn more, visit GuideDogChampions.ca.

By Penny Leclair

Member, Guide Dog Users of Canada

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