Guide Dog Age Limit Removed

Tue, 06 Oct 2009

Visually impaired children in the UK will be eligible to receive guide dogs under new laws. The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association will begin training dogs for youngsters after the age limit of 16 was removed. The decision has been motivated by a reported lack of independence and mobility for visually impaired youngsters, who are restricted to a limited social life as a result. It is hoped that their animal assistants will help to widen their range of activities, and improve their self-confidence.

The pet guide dogs will be available to young teenagers from next year, after a successful pilot scheme testing the use of guide dogs with young people. One 14 year old recipient of a guide dog said it gave her more freedom and a greater sense of safety compared to the long cane she previously used.

The change forms part of calls from the association to introduce a national minimum standard. However, as with adults and partially sighted people, only a small proportion of children will be deemed suitable for a guide dog, with the majority to continue receiving extra help and training from education and social services .

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