Charity takes on guide dog misconceptions

A LEADING charity is revealing some common misconceptions that people from the South East have about guide dogs.
Guide Dogs is challenging some of the South Easts misconceptionsGuide Dogs is challenging some of the South Easts misconceptions
Guide Dogs is challenging some of the South Easts misconceptions

In a survey of 4,500 UK adults, charity Guide Dogs found that 33 per cent of those from the South East think these specially trained dogs can be relied upon to help empty the washing machine and 48 per cent believe they can help pick up a ringing phone for their owner. One person in the survey believes guide dogs can ‘diagnose some illnesses’. The survey also revealed that 84 per cent of those from the South East believe it is the guide dog who decides or can help decide when to cross the road.

Guide Dogs also found that under a fifth from the South East assumed that the NHS or social care services are mainly responsible for providing guide dogs - a responsibility that solely falls to the charity which receives no government funding for and is completely reliant on donations. Some 19 per cent also thought that you have to be completely blind to qualify for a guide dog.

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Now Guide Dogs is calling for more people than ever to show their support during the charity’s annual awareness and fundraising week from October 3 to 11.

This year the theme for Guide Dogs Week is ‘Lets Glow’ in tribute to the famous white and yellow neon flash on the guide dog harness - a sign that over three quarters of people questioned in the South East recognised.

Find out more about Guide Dogs Week or download a fundraising pack at www.guidedogs.org.uk/guidedogsweek.

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