Outside Article SOUTHEASTERN GUIDE DOGS SAYS NOT TO INTEREFERE WITH WORKING DOGS

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SOUTHEASTERN GUIDE DOGS SAYS NOT TO INTEREFERE WITH WORKING DOGS(Michaela Redmond)

By ABC7 Staff
Published: Aug. 26, 2023 at 5:47 PM EDT

SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - PALMETTO – With Publix posting new signs informing shoppers that no pets are allowed, Suncoast residents can still expect to see service animals inside the grocery store. Southeast Guide Dogs said service animals help people with a wide range of disabilities. For them, they train dogs to help people that are blind and those who suffer from PTSD, or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Christie Bane, a training manager for Southeast Guide Dogs, said training for the dogs is extensive and on average lasts around five months.

"So, when the dog comes here, they are prepared to learn the specialized tasks of working in harness. So, this harness that nick here is wearing, she knows that when she is in harness, it is her job to stop for things that I might fall on or move me around things that I might bump into and also not get distracted by things in the environment," said Bane.

Bane said after that, they can go out in public as working dogs. Sarasota Resident Katie McCoy said she suffers from Retinitis Pigmentosa which means McCoy has no peripheral vision and can't see in dim or dark lightning. Before McCoy got her guide dog Bristol from Southeast Guide Dogs, she explained she's been hit multiple times by cars.

"When we were in training and we were getting and doing traffic checks, which is when cars pull out in front of you or you are coming up on sidewalks, things that happen in real life, Bristol stopped every time and we never got hit by a car. She's saved my life several times," said McCoy.

Bane said with a job that serious, working dogs can't lose their focus or get distracted.

"It's always best not to interfere with a working dog because if you look at the dog and go oh you are so cute, like I know I'm not supposed to pet you, but you are so cute, that can take the attention off a dogs work and that could be in the moment when they have to react to something," said Bane.

McCoy said beyond just saving her life, Bristol helps her take on the grocery store and stops her from running into poles and even shopping carts. McCoy explained a trip to the grocery store would be extremely challenging without a guide dog.

Southeastern Guide Dogs says not to interfere with working dogs

SOUTHEASTERN GUIDE DOGS SAYS NOT TO INTEREFERE WITH WORKING DOGS

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