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Guide Dog Users of Canada

2009 Conference - Enhancing the Guide Dog Experience - Workshops

A series of three workshop sessions has been planned for the tenth anniversary conference of Guide Dog Users of Canada. Click here for general information about the 10th anniversary conference.

The ‘Right’ Way To Travel’

This workshop will allow guide dog handlers to explore the various considerations that arise when traveling with a guide dog, and some of the recent developments in terms of the rights that a guide dog handler holds while traveling. Topics include:

  • Current international service dog access laws and regulations for travel
  • Our shared experience of access denial and barriers, and
  • How do we improve access?

The workshop Includes a 45 minute presentation and question and answer session with Kevin Haines of the Canadian Air Transportation Security Authority (CATSA) on airport security screening. Part two of the workshop will be devoted to a discussion of any shared travel experiences participants may wish to raise.

Guide Dog School Representatives’ Panel Discussion

This workshop will provide a number of guide dog schools with the opportunity to provide their input and suggestions on how to address three very common issues that guide dog handlers face on a day to day basis:

  • Overweight dogs: How to keep your dog fit
  • What do I do if my guide dog becomes ill or is injured while I am traveling?
  • How can I maximize my guide dog’s safety and comfort during travel? (By air, ship, train, coach, other)

As of May 20, 2009, the following guide dog schools have confirmed that they will be attending:

Hands on the Dog: T-Touch

Tellington Touch, or T-Touch, is a world-renowned critically acclaimed method of massage which provides healing and calming benefits to animals, developed by Linda Tellington Jones.

This workshop will be facilitated by certified T-Touch practitioner Jane Madigan of Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind and a colleague of hers from New Zealand.

Hands on the Dog: Grooming

This workshop will provide an exploration of the various grooming techniques and tools available to guide dog handlers today, and present some new and unique “dog gear” that may be of interest to guide dog teams.