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`Doggie diplomacy' helps blind to see

A man tries to make his guide dog smile during a press conference organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Taiwan Guide Dog Association in Taipei yesterday to promote ''doggie diplomacy.'' PHOTO: CHEN TSE-MING, TAIPEI TIMES

Vincent Chiu (邱文昇) has no problem admitting that he lives a dog's life.

In fact, he would be confined to his home without Journey, his black Labrador.

"She is my eyes and my friend. I depend on her as much he depends on me," he said.

Chiu, who recently graduated from Tamkang University, received his companion about 22 months ago. She is his first guide dog and hopefully, won't be his last, he said.

"I met Journey in Detroit in May 2006 when I went to the US to be trained how to handle a guide dog," Chiu said.

"It took us about two weeks to become familiar with each other. I tried to build a relationship with her by playing with her at night," he said, adding that Journey's favorite game is hide and seek.

However, Chiu is one of the lucky few to have a guide dog as a companion in Taiwan.

According to figures provided by the Taiwan Guide Dog Association there are only 20 trained guide dogs for the 50,000 plus visually impaired people in the nation.

"So far we have only five certified guide dog trainers in Taiwan to train about six to 10 dogs per year. At this rate, it will take us 20 years to produce enough dogs to meet the minimum requirement."

Vincent Chiu, guide dog owner

Chiu and Journey were part of the "doggie diplomacy" program presented by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at a press conference in Taipei yesterday.

Foreign Minister James Huang (黃志芳) said that the dogs are an example of the importance of international cooperation between non-government organizations.

"So far we have only five certified guide dog trainers in Taiwan to train about six to 10 dogs per year. At this rate, it will take us 20 years to produce enough dogs to meet the minimum requirement," said William Chen (陳長青), secretary-general of the association.

Chen said there are plans to provide enough guide dogs for at least 10 percent of the visually-impaired population.

At the moment, most of the guide dogs in Taiwan are "imported" from countries such as the US, the UK, Norway, South Korea and Japan, he said.

Chen noted that the government has provided a tremendous amount of support to increase the number of guide dogs in Taiwan and to educate the public about them.

In June 2004, the legislature passed the Guide Dog Assessment Act which stipulates that guide dogs or guide puppies in training must be allowed to enter all public spaces, including the mass transportation system.

Those who refuse to let dogs on their premises face a fine of between NT$10,000 and NT$20,000.

Chiu said he is fine with people petting Journey but advised them to ask him first.

"She is my eyes. Would you want people to start petting your eyes without your permission?" he asked.

Chiu said that he believes Journey would be able to serve as his eyes for 10 years before needing to retire.

He is already making plans for that day.

"I want to give her to my close friends or family. This way I can visit her often even after I get a new dog," he said.
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