While guide dogs are common in many parts of the world, developing a training program in Taiwan is still a relatively new change. But with a new center for breeding and training guide dogs, many more Taiwanese people with visual impairments may be able to receive guide dog assistance in the future.
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Dogs are more than just man’s best friend, their companionship and guidance can make a life-changing difference for people with disabilities. Although there are about 60,000 visually impaired people in Taiwan, there are still only around 50 working guide dogs in the country.
But that number may be on the rise. Taiwan has just opened a new Guide Dogs Breeding & Training Center. President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) attended the center’s opening ceremony alongside her three pets that are retired guide dogs.
Tsai says she’s happy that future guide dogs will receive professional training at this new center. She says she hopes there will be more guide dogs available to people who need them.
The president also reminds people to respect working guide dogs, and to not try to feed, pet, or distract them. She adds that people should allow guide dogs to accompany their owners in public spaces, and should ask those with vision impairments if they need any help.
Taiwan is also planning on completing a special campus in the next five years that will provide guide dog training, as well as activities, performance areas, and museum exhibits for the general public and people with visual impairments. All profits from the campus will go to cover guide dog training and education fees for people with visual impairments, so more people can benefit from guide dog assistance.