Phipps: Embrace service dogs

There is a call for Barbadians to recognise the important role of service dogs.

 

This came from one of Barbados’ Jubilee Honourees, Richard Phipps. Last Wednesday, Phipps who is visually impaired, with the aid of his faithful guide dog Bart, stood before Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Freundel Stuart to receive the award in recognition of his outstanding work in advocating and promoting Barbadian arts, culture, education and family values in the United States of America.

 

The Barbadian-born Phipps, who resides in Massachusetts spoke to the need for better education regarding service dogs as he recalled a visit to Bridgetown on Thursday. Phipps contends that such animals are necessary because they provide mobility for the blind and partially sighted.

 

“These dogs which are trained for this specific purpose should be accommodated in restaurants and stores. As a blind person, I cannot leave my service dog at the door and walk in to do business; I need him,” he expressed.

 

“There is a great need for education for the public, as well as for the opportunity for those people who might be able to use guide dogs... We first have to remove the fear that people have for dogs,” he urged.

Phipps went on to reveal that a training programme for a service dog costs between $20 000 to $70 000 depending on the purpose of the dog – whether for medical, visual or hearing impairment.

 

“The bottom line is that there is a lot of money that goes into the process, a lot of time and training and therefore when you get a service dog, it’s not the same as having a dog at home in the yard,” he stressed.

His comments came as he presented the Irvin Wilson School – Unit for the Blind with an Enhanced Vision Reader Machine, recently. He made the presentation to Minister of Education, the Hon. Ronald Jones and Principal Wendy Blackman.

 

Minister Jones admitted that society needs to become more comfortable in the presence of these dogs that assist persons to move around.

 

“I am sure that persons are not aware of how well these dogs are trained and what they do. I am sure these dogs will be quite useful in assisting those members of our population who are partially sighted or with no sight at all to move around,” he explained.

 

Jones also took the opportunity to thank Phipps for the generous donation. He said that the Government of Barbados is always pleased when individuals or entities are able to reach out to its schools.

“There are always needs to be met. Government spends a lot of money on education, but a lot of money is still never enough. There are always other demands within the system and those who can come forward to give assistance is truly appreciated by the Ministry of Education and the Government and people of Barbados.” (TL)