Assistance dogs Europe sounds gong for International Assistance Dog Week

By sounding the gong Caroline Vink opens trading together with Viktor, the assistance dog that accompanies her beside the wheelchair. The gong is sounded for the International Assistance Dog Week.

The International Assistance Dog Week  is an excellent opportunity to generate world-wide interest in assistance dogs: dogs that help and assist people with a visual, hearing, physical or psychological disability in their daily lives, and medical alert dogs that support people with diabetes or epilepsy. Assistance Dogs Europe (ADEu), the European Chapter of Assistance Dogs International, is a well-established forum for European organisations involved in the training of assistance dogs. “The most important function of ADEu is to assure the quality of the work of its member organisations”, says Elma Burg, coordinator of ADEu, “and the consequent provision for certified assistance dog partnerships to have unhindered access to shops, restaurants and hotels, something that has already been legally regulated in the United States”.

This week is also an opportunity to raise awareness for the importance of these dogs for people with a disability. “My dog helps me to regain independence and self-sufficiency”, says Caroline Vink, “and effectively reduces my need for professional care and help from my support network. My assistance dog Viktor is ready to help me 24/7!”

For more information: assistancedogseurope.org

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