In This Edition
A Message from the Editor
Keeping Safe - Overhanging Trees and Shrubs. By Scott N
Launch of our Dog Guide Refusal Reporting Form
Are your Details Up To Date
A Bit of Humour: One day at a busy airport
A Refusal Story – By Scott N.
How to make a bell when you’ve lost the original- By Kirsten B.
New for DGHA – Facebook Page.
Leptospirosis – Alert NSW.
From Our Reflections Page- D’artagnan Memories,
Featured Article –Airport Discrimination Dash I am angry as hell, and I’m not going to take it anymore – By Graeme Innes AM.
Wanted for the newsletter.
Member’s Zoom Meeting – Wednesday 13th Jul 2022 at 8pm.
And The Winner Is?
Last Words.
Join DGHA.
Sign up for this newsletter.
Dog Guide Handlers Australia.
Disclaimer:

A Message from the Editor
Welcome to the winter 2022 edition of the DGHA Newsletter.
 You will notice a few changes, as to the set out of the newsletter.
 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 newsletter@dgha.org.au .
 Let’s make the DGHA Newsletter great together.
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.
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 
Keeping Safe - Overhanging Trees and Shrubs. By Scott N
My name is Scott, I had an issue whilst walking around my local area with overgrown trees and shrubs over footpaths, this impacted on me as I was getting hot so was my guide dog.
So I rang the council to report it to them as there were quite a number to report.
The person from Blacktown Council said to me on the phone we leave that up to residents to look after.
But the trees are on council strips so they belong to the council not the residents. I reminded him of this and he said well that's the way it is.
So I hung up and carried on with life and my dog. So I went walking one day and my dog pulled me and fell all due to a tree, so that was it I had the shits.
With the help of my wife we went on a big walk and took countless photos and addresses of all situations that affected me and the safety of myself and my dog. 
Then we did all this in an email and sent it to the council.  Included local member and Guide Dogs NSW/ACT as well outlining they have 10 working days to get back to me with resolution.
Guess what? All trees and shrubs were cut back and removed now life is safe for myself and my dog on our walks.
So if anyone else has this issue speak up and tell them via email.
Scott & Windsor.
Launch of our Dog Guide Refusal Reporting Form
Dog Guide Handlers Australia have launched a refusal reporting form on their website www.dgha.org.au to enable people who are refused service because of their Dog Guide to report refusal incidents. DGHA and partner organisations will use the data collected on this form to advocate to put an end to this discrimination and exclusion from vital supports and services. 
The DGHA board is becoming acutely aware of the need for advocacy around Dog Guide refusals in Australia with continuing reports on our social media channels and from our members facing refusals to taxi and rideshare services, hospitality venues, accommodation providers and various other businesses and services.
The Dog Guide refusal form will gather important information and personal stories to assist our advocacy on these matters. We are also calling for:
•	Training of all operators and frontline staff in disability discrimination to be mandatory;
•	Penalties for discrimination to be consistent and actually change behaviour;
•	And complaint procedures to be simple, and the outcome of the complaint reported back to the person making the complaint
For further information please visit www.dgha.org.au
Dog Guide Handlers Australia Inc. is the national voice of people who are blind or have low vision who are Dog Guide Handlers. Incorporated in 2011, our mission is to foster, represent, promote, enhance and protect the interests of Australians who are Dog Guide Handlers.
Are your Details Up To Date
Have you changed your address?
Have you changed your email address? 
Have you changed your phone number? 
Have you updated your dog guide details? 
If you answer yes to any of the above details shoot us an email, providing us those updates. Email us at dgha@dgha.org.au
A Bit of Humour: One day at a busy airport
One day at a busy airport, the passengers on a commercial airliner are seated waiting for the pilot to show up so they can get under way. The pilot and co-pilot finally appear in the rear of the plane and begin walking up to the cockpit through the centre aisle. Both appear to be blind; the pilot is using a white cane, bumping into passenger’s right and left as he stumbles down the aisle. The co-pilot is using a guide dog. Both have their eyes covered with sunglasses. At first, the passengers do not react thinking that it must be some sort of practical joke. After a few minutes though, the engines start revving, and the airplane begins moving down the runway. The passengers look at each other with some uneasiness. They start whispering among themselves and look desperately to the stewardesses for reassurance. Yet, the plane starts accelerating rapidly, and people begin panicking. Some passengers are praying, and as the plane gets closer and closer to the end of the runway, the voices are becoming more and more hysterical. When the plane has less than twenty feet of runway left, there is a sudden change in the pitch of the shouts as everyone screams at once. At the very last moment, the plane lifts off and is airborne. Up in the cockpit, the co-pilot breathes a sigh of relief and tells the pilot: “You know, one of these days the passengers aren’t going to scream, and we aren’t going to know when to take off!” —
A Refusal Story – By Scott N.
Hi my name is Scott, and my wife and I were looking at going away for the Easter weekend to Nelson Bay. Upon Booking at a place via www.booking.com  , my wife advised them that we had a guide dog at the time of our online booking.
Then a few hours later we got an email directly from the Motel telling us to cancel the booking as they don’t take pets or utility dogs.
Thought utility dog?  Where in the booking did it state utility dog?
After emailing back with the laws and fines that can be imposed, no reply.
So clearly refused.
Then we thought. mmm… they are not getting away with this, so my wife rang the local newspaper and they called back and they will now do a story when we meet with them on the Easter weekend.
I also contacted Guide Dogs NSW/ACT, advising of the rejection in staying at the motel and I had to provide them all the details and guide dogs will take it from there and they called the motel to educate them on rejecting a guide dog and the laws and fines that CAN be handed to them.
I wanted to let the wider community of nelson bay know what has happened to me
So now we have this resolved I just can't name the motel in the interview I will be giving.
This was embarrassing for me being the first time I was refused and I am certainly not 1 to sit back and cope with it, I have the right to go where I want to and know where I cannot take my dog.
So if anyone has this issue speak up and go through the right channels.
Scott & Windsor
How to make a bell when you’ve lost the original- By Kirsten B.
When we first get our dogs, or at least for me, we get a play collar with a bell on it. But let’s face it, we change collars, or get sick of the bell and remove it. Then the bell goes into a drawer or box or something never to be seen again.
But what happens if you decide to take your dog for a free run, or you just want to hear where they are?
Running into this situation just recently, I decided to make a bell that I could use when I wanted to hear my guide, but could also be removed.
What you will need
A small Carabiner or dog tag clip, - you can get very sturdy dog tag clips from eBay for under $10
A not too small, but not large split ring
Bells - Can be purchased from any respectable craft store
How to make
1.	Dependent on the size of your bells, place 1 to 3 bells on the split ring
2.	Attach split ring to Carabiner or dog tag clip
3.	When required, attach Carabiner or dog tag clip with bells onto the collar and have fun
New for DGHA – Facebook Page.
AS social media is a large part of most people’s lives nowadays, DGHA has launched a Facebook Page. This is separate to our Facebook Group
It is similar to our Dog Guide Handlers Australia website, it is for the wider community, businesses and government to find us.
This is where will share information to the wider community and you will also be able to share our posts to your page if you wish.
Dog Guide Handlers Australia - DGHA Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/Dog-Guide-Handlers-Australia-DGHA-100190856045562
Our existing group will remain as a private group for our member discussions.
 Dog Guide Handlers Australia (DGHA) Facebook Group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/DogGuideHandlersAustralia
Leptospirosis – Alert NSW.
 What is Leptospirosis? It is a bacterial disease that dogs can catch.
In recent years there have been cases in NSW in the inner and western areas of Sydney, and more recently on the Central Coast, but do check in your area regardless of which state yu reside.
With the risk of more rodents being around due to the recent plague, particularly in NSW. Dogs may come into contact with leptospirosis through contaminated stagnant water, such as in ponds or puddles, or through any direct contact with rodents
Vaccination for leptospirosis is an option to consider if your dog is at high risk of contracting the disease. It can be given with your dog's annual vaccinations and check-up. The vaccine can also be given on its own. Dogs starting their vaccination course are given two injections 2 – 4 weeks apart (maximum 6 weeks).
*Consult your veterinarian, and have the conversation if it is recommended for your beloved dog guide and pets
From Our Reflections Page- D’artagnan Memories,
Dear friends,
And now the D’artagnan Memories tribute website is live!
On the occasion of International Guide Dog Day 2022, I am so excited to announce that the D’artagnan Memories Tribute website is now live online!...
From DGHA member Gisele Mesnage
You can read more on our DGHA Website reflection page at http://dgha.org.au/dgha/reflections/#D'artagnan  and also be re-directed to The D’artagnan Memories website.

Featured Article –Airport Discrimination Dash I am angry as hell, and I’m not going to take it anymore – By Graeme Innes AM. 
With the kind permission of Graeme Innes AM.  We are sharing a recent blog post his recent blog post.  You can also follow Graeme at Graeme Innes – Board director, human rights activist, cricket tragic, sailor  
You can read the Blog post below
Ok, tweeps settle back for a long thread. The airline industry, including airports, has thumbed their noses at the Disability Discrimination Act and the Transport Standards for 20 years. I've had enough, and my inner loose unit is out of the box.
Ms Ros Croucher, President Australian Human Rights Commission I wish to lodge a complaint under the DDA and the Disability Transport Standards. It is lodged against the Federal Dept of Transport, Virgin Airlines, Adelaide Airport and the company which provides security clearance services at that airport. On 13 May 2022, I sought to clear security around 4 PM to catch my Virgin flight to where I live near Gold Coast Airport. My colleague G was with me and observed what took place.
I am publishing this on Twitter because it is now in the public domain, so it will be much harder and less relevant to settle through a confidentiality clause in an agreement. I want this in the public arena.
There were few people in line, but at least ten rows of switchbacks, which my guide dog finds tricky, so we chose the premium lane. We offered those in the line already to go first, but they told us to go ahead. This lane was the only one with a body scanner, not an x-ray.
We put bags and metal on the belt and walked to the scanner. The male security guard said aggressively you can't come through this lane with the dog. I explained that at GC airport where I live there are only body scanners, and I do it every time I travel - regularly. He refused I explained I would sit the dog, be scanned, and call her through. She would trigger, I would not, and she gets pat-down. She loves, I do not. Again refused. I tried once more, and G said the guard had turned his back on me. How insulting and disempowering to someone who cannot see.
This has happened to me many times before, including being physically pushed backwards in Darwin, and I was completely triggered.  I felt sicker in the stomach than I usually do when I go to airports, and my heart rate increased significantly. I was sweating.
G was appalled at my treatment. We decided to give in, and go to the other lane. This made me feel worse, as I knew what was happening to me was discriminatory and unacceptable.
I sat my dog before the x-ray and went through it without setting it off. The whole time the guard, or a different one, was saying I could not come through that way. I called the dog through and she triggered the scanner.
The guard said I had to be patted down, even though I had not triggered the scanner. G, who could see, waved over the supervisor called Andrew who asked the guard if I had triggered. Guard said no. If G had not been there I think the guard's answer would be different.
I forgot to say that when I told the first guard that I used body scanners like this all over the country he just said Not In Adelaide!
Andrew then said only dog to be patted down and we got through. I felt incredibly stressed, humiliated and overwhelmed.  G walked to the Virgin lounge where staff saw my distress and treated me very well.
Geoff is right - I want policy change and more respect and flexibility for people just trying to comply with the Security process the way everyone else does. I do not want a separate system. Want this one to treat us equally.
I also want $5000 compensation to a charity of my choice. Apologies made are meaningless platitudes - I want real change. I am happy to try conciliation, but will not settle for less.
I am ready to go to court if necessary. This is not the worst discrimination that occurs and is not about me, it's for all disabled people just wanting to live our lives. I'm angry as hell, and not going to take any more.
End of thread. The Loose unit is out of the bottle, and it's not going back until organisations, through their actions, and change in attitude, treat us equally in our own community.
There are stacks of ways airlines do not include us! I'll list a few. Making us board first and get off last. Sure if you want to, but that should be our choice.
Inaccessible in-flight entertainment systems! No captions or audio descriptions on movies! No on-board wheelchairs so peeps can go to the toilet.
So few meet and assist staff that we have inordinately long waits, and are treated as second class citizens. Only two wheelchair users on an aircraft. Many Many more.
But my favourite! Building portable ramps rather than stairs at airports with no aerobridge which are so steep and not load-bearing to take wheelchair users. IT's AN f...ing RAMP FOR GOD SAKE!
Let's not make nice. Let's lodge discrimination complaints, let's tell our peak advocacy bodies, let's say these things in the review of the transport Standards. Our right to equal freedom of movement is fundamental.
In fact, if airlines have lost or broken our wheelchairs, let's just sit on the bloody plane till they find or fix it! Let's all be Loose Units!	
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
Member’s Zoom Meeting – Wednesday 13th Jul 2022 at 8pm.
The next members meeting will be held on: Wednesday 13th July 2022
Time: 8pm AEST
Topic: BCA Pedestrian Safety Policy
Presenter: Jackson Reynolds-Ryan. Blind Citizens Australia.
Jackson will speak for around 20-30 minutes with a Q and A to follow.
If members have any questions around pedestrian safety as a dog guide handler, if they could submit them prior to the meeting date, this will give Jackson the opportunity to answer your questions in more detail
Email your question to dgha@dgha.org.au +++
Keep a look out for the Zoom meeting details closer to the date.
And The Winner Is?
Leading up to this Winter Edition of the DGHA Newsletter we ran a competition to entice some articles to be submitted by handlers, puppy raisers etc., that would be of interest and or useful for other handlers. A Grey Quick-drying Sport Towel with Silicone carry case and clip, which is great for clipping onto your bag or harness was up for grabs.
The winner is – Scott N. for submitting his stories.
Anyone wishing to purchase one can do so by visiting the following site at  https://au.shein.com/1pc-Quick-drying-Sport-Towel-With-Box-p-3017701-cat-3083.html?url_from=auadplash2106285494339944one-size_ssc&cid=11484025612&setid=117460636052&adid=475554597079&pf=GOOGLE&gclid=Cj0KCQjwhLKUBhDiARIsAMaTLnHJ0McLGpZPjXvzjYyhuHqIIMahT0vvbOvVBrvWhYrirW0X3B5YOTgaAs9TEALw_wcB 
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/
Disclaimer: 
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.