Figure 1 DGHA Logo

                 NEWSLETTER
								Winter 2021

Table of Contents
A Message from the Editor
Who are we?
What are the benefits of becoming a member of DGHA?
Guide Dog Poem:
Sydney Harbour Cruise aboard the Tall Ships
DGHA Conference 2021: Update
Peanut Gingersnap Treats
Australia Post Update
Dates to Remember -2021
Wanted for the newsletter
Last Words
Disclaimer:

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A Message from the Editor
Welcome to the Winter edition of the DGHA Newsletter. I hope you find the information in this newsletter helpful and enjoyable.
 Feedback is important, to ensure the newsletter is successful.
Contributions from members and those with an interest in Dog Guides is essential to ensure the newsletter can continue. Please send any stories, article or ideas to mewsletter@dgha.org.au . Let’s make the DGHA Newsletter great together.

Figure 3 A Line of Dog Guide Emoji’s

Who are we?
Dog Guide Handlers Australia (DGHA) is a national association which provides a voice for Australians who are blind or vision impaired, and who are dog guide handlers.
DGHA is an independent association of dog guide handlers, and is not affiliated with any dog guide school.
DGHA strives to foster, represent, promote, enhance and protect the interests of Australians who are blind or vision impaired, and who are dog guide handlers.
DGHA draws on the experiences and varied knowledge of its members, to provide peer support, systemic advocacy and information to dog guide users throughout Australia.

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What are the benefits of becoming a member of DGHA?
Life time member one-off joining fee
Unite your voice with other dog guide users and have a say to service providers 
Share your experiences as a dog guide handler and learn from other handlers
Join in 3 monthly online meetings to chat and enjoy presentations from experts on topics all about dog guides 
Take part in the DGHA bi annual conference 

Figure 5 A Line of Dog Guide Emoji’s
Guide Dog Poem:
I know you only see a dog when you see me in the street,
But look a little closer before we get to meet.
You'll see I'm in my uniform, this harness that I wear,
Should tell you that I'm working, I have a human in my care.
The flash that shines upon my lead shouts out the job I do,
I'm guiding in my uniform, I'm steady and I'm true.
Now would you grab a policeman, a doctor, nurse or nun,
A fireman or a surgeon, so you could have some fun.
Would you want to hug them, distract them from their task
I'm not so very different, so THINK, is all I ask.
I'm doing such a special job, I'm being someone's eyes
Distracting me to make a fuss, really isn't wise.
Would you rush to hug a police dog, or a sniffer dog for drugs,
Or a guard dog barking madly, just to get some hugs?
I doubt they'd greet you kindly, their owners too may shout.
So please I ask you nicely, walk on and miss me out.
I'm working in my uniform, it's very clear to see.
So this I ask you kindly, don't attempt to distract me!
By Penny Parker

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Sydney Harbour Cruise aboard the Tall Ships
A group of 6 handlers and companions booked a day out on Sydney Harbour aboard one of the tall ships 
The staff of Sydney Tall ships welcomed us aboard for their “Afternoon Discovery” cruise with open arms, our beautiful dog guides were the stars of the day as we enjoyed a lovely afternoon on the water.
 At the completion of our lovely afternoon on the harbour.
 We headed to City Extra at Circular Quay where we had made a reservation. 

Figure 7: 6 Handlers and their Dog Guides sitting on the wharf at Circular Quay with the Sydney Tall Ships and the Sydney Harbour Bridge in the background

We kicked   the evening off with a few wines a cocktail and a few beers. Then we had a lovely dinner and dessert.  This was topped off with wonderful company.
Whilst enjoying the night we noticed 2 very well dressed ladies enter, take their seats and enjoy a glass of champagne.  They soon sighted our dog guides, they were so delighted and kept looking at them.  
After they had finished their drinks they came over to compliment us on our dog guides and they asked us some questions about our dog guides and ourselves.   They thanked us for visiting and said it was their local place they come to and said they’d like to see us again soon.

With that they left us to enjoy the rest of our evening. A short time later 2 members of our group had to head off and said goodnight only to return a few minutes later and said “Guys don’t worry about paying for your meals. The bill has already been paid.” We said wait what? “
It seems that these 2 lovely ladies that came in for the glass of champagne had paid the entire bill for our group, 10 people in total 
What a beautiful random act of kindness 
We were left speechless!!   
What a gorgeous way to finish a great day out 
Just shows us that there are still very kind people in this crazy world we are trying to get through.
And we are still talking about it weeks later.

Figure 8 A Line of Dog Guide Emoji's

DGHA Conference 2021: Update
Dear Dog Guide Handlers Australia (DGHA) Members,
Just a reminder to register for the 2021 Dog Guide Handlers Australia (DGHA) Conference to be held online via Zoom on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th June 2021. 
  The conference will run from 10.30 am to 3.30 pm (AEST) on the Saturday, and 10.00 am to 3.30 pm on the Sunday. Check your local time.
 The conference program is still being finalised, but will include topics such as: 
a member panel on dog guide tips and tricks, the latest innovations in dog guide training and care, updates on the NDIS and My Aged Care for dog guide users, a how to respond session to refusals and bad service by taxi and ride share drivers, and a surprise guest who will be presented with the Judith Killen Golden Harness Award for outstanding services to the dog guide sector. We will also have prizes and fun events throughout the conference to help us engage and mingle in the online environment.
To register for free, simply email dgha@dgha.org.au by the 18th June with the following details:
Name:
Postal address:
Membership status (Full member or Associate member):
Phone number:
And any specific support needs you have to be able to attend and participate in the conference:
Your DGHA Committee is really looking forward to your participation in the 2021 Dog Guide Handlers Australia Conference

Figure 9 A Line of Dog Guide Emoji’s

Peanut Gingersnap Treats
Don’t feel like going out today, because winter has arrived why not go ahead and skip the long dog walk and hide these treats around the house for a game of hide and seek.  
 INGREDIENTS
•	2.5 Cups Flour (almond, coconut, whole wheat, or all-purpose)
•	3 Tb. Ground Ginger
•	1 Tb. Cinnamon
•	½ – ¾ Cup Peanut Butter (all natural, no added or alternate sugars)
•	¼ Cup Water
HOW TO MAKE YOUR DIY DOG TREATS – DIRECTIONS:
1.	Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2.	Combine flour, ginger, and cinnamon.  Add in water and peanut butter.  Mix and form a ball with the dough.
3.	Roll the dough out to ¼ inch thick.  Use your favourite puppy treat cookie cutter.
4.	Place treats on baking sheet lined with parchment paper.  
5.	If using gluten flour, bake for 40 minutes or until golden brown.  If using gluten-free flour, bake for 25 minutes.  Turn off oven and leave the treats in the oven for another 45 minutes or until they are crispy.

Figure 11 A Line of Dog Guide Emoji’s

Australia Post Update
It   and their electric Delivery Vehicle Update
 It has taken not quite 12 months since I asked the question of Australia Post about their Electric Delivery Vehicles and how they could affect those with low vision or blindness and use dog guides for mobility. As electric vehicles in most cases do not emit any audible sound this is of concern especially as these vehicles are not only on the road but also for use on the footpath. I received some great feedback from our members and other vision impaired people with dog guides and forwarded those concerns to Australia Post.
On Monday 24th May 2021 I attended a Focus Group meeting with Australia Post , representatives of Vision Australia were also present as well as a number of vision impaired people, some who were dog guide users. My initial enquiry around the Electric Delivery Vehicles was the major point of the focus group, but also many other aspects of Australia Post’s delivery of services to those with a disability. Australia Post had a number of their departments represented.
Discussions took place around the accessibility of their website and App for those with a vision impairment. How they can improve their deliveries to our home, for example allowing more time for a person with a disability to answer the door, and other opt in feature in the future for the My Post App and   training of their staff when interacting with people with a Vision Impairment.
AS Australia Post is a large organisation it is something that is going to take time to get it right and from my perspective they want to get it right first time, to begin with Australia Post is looking at how to better train their Electric Delivery Vehicle drivers to ensure our, and others interactions with these large delivery vehicles that will be on the footpaths in suburbia. Not all places will you come across one of these vehicles as it is dependent on the terrain and if the area has a very high amount of foot traffic, such as the central business district f any major city of town. There are currently 2400 of these large delivery vehicles currently in use with another 1000 on the way. Australia Post are looking at possibly having some form of noise fitted whether it be something that is a constant noise or even a tune that can be played as it travels along the footpath.
If you come across one of these vehicles and have an interaction with them and it concerns you, Take note of your location and time and contact Australia Post as these vehicles are ALL fitted with CCTV. Australia Post will investigate and appropriate actions taken. And if you have a good experience let them know too as this will show that their training is on the mark.

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Dates to Remember -2021
19th June – DGHA BI-Annual Conference Day 1
20th June - DGHA BI-Annual Conference Day 2

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Wanted for the newsletter
We need your input to keep the newsletter interesting, tell us about your adventures with your dog guide, a favourite recipe you would like to share.  Or want to contribute something else to the newsletter, get in touch via email newsletter@dgha.org.au

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Last Words
Join DGHA
Membership of DGHA is in 2 categories. Full Membership: $20.00. Any Australian who is blind or vision impaired, and who is a Dog Guide Handler or Associate Membership: $10.00. Any other person who is sighted, blind or vision impaired, who supports the objectives of DGHA.
If you are not already a member of DGHA and would like to be, please visit our
Website and fill in the accessible form. We welcome full memberships for dog guide handlers and associate memberships from dog guide trainers, puppy raisers and friends and family of dog guide handlers.  The joining page on our website is here:  http://dgha.org.au/dgha/membership/

Sign up for this newsletter
If you know someone who might like to receive this newsletter, for example a new dog guide handler, a puppy raiser or your instructor, please send their email address to us (with their permission) by reply email or to dgha@dgha.org.au and we’ll add them to our list.  

Contribute to this newsletter
We welcome your input into this newsletter.  If you have a story, an idea, a review of a doggy product you love, please contact Bronwyn via the newsletter@dgha.org.au email address to discuss your contribution.  
Dog Guide Handlers Australia
Email dgha@dgha.org.au
Website www.dgha.org.au
Twitter: @DGHAustralia via https://twitter.com/dghaustralia?lang=en
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/groups/DogGuideHandlersAustralia/

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Disclaimer:

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Views and opinions expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily the views of the editor, or DGHA, Any advice is general in nature and should be checked with relevant schools, your vet or other relevant authorities.