"My life changed when I met Indio, a black Labrador, three years ago. I am completely blind, and until I got my guide dog, I wasn't able to travel often. Getting around was tiring enough in familiar places. I used a cane, and encountered tons of obstacles and problems - like crossing paths with people who were looking at their phones. The idea of navigating this in a completely new country sounded like a horror-movie plot."
"He'll learn my hotel room as soon as we set foot inside, and help direct me to places we already know if I get lost after a day of exploring. I no longer have to depend on fellow travelers when I'm on a city tour, because my dog can follow a guide independently if I ask him to. Crucially, I feel like I can now walk around an unfamiliar city without having to worry nonstop."
A person born completely blind relied on a cane and found navigating familiar places tiring, often encountering obstacles like distracted pedestrians. Receiving a guide dog named Indio three years ago enabled far greater independence and the ability to travel. Indio has accompanied the person to 16 countries, from eating crickets in Mexico to visiting museums in Germany. The dog learns hotel rooms, helps direct to known places, and can follow tour guides independently. The partnership allowed spontaneous adventures, such as unplanned travel between Prague and Vienna. The main ongoing difficulty is coping with judgment and ignorance from other people while traveling.
Read at Business Insider
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