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Youth Activists Create Change
By Kalina Yotova, Bulgaria
A dog is supposed to be a man's best friend but for the visually impaired in Bulgaria, this is not the case. In fact, the Bulgarian government seems opposed to the idea that guide dogs should aid the blind. For the over 18,000 visually impaired individuals in Bulgaria, government legislative support has been insufficient at best.
"Persistence works wonders!" -Kalina Yotova
Nonetheless, on April 26th the first Guide Dog School for the Blind, Eyes on Four Paws, opened in Sofia, Bulgaria. While the school will need funding to increase the number of licensed trainers and guide dogs, it's a first step.
It's not easy to become a licensed trainer mostly because there aren't any certification programs in Bulgaria. But with the help of generous individuals, corporations and foundations the visually impaired are starting to have a chance of getting a Seeing Eye dog even if the list to get one is long as is the wait to find someone to train the dog.
But even in a perfect world with government support for the blind, social behavior in Bulgaria will need to change. Resistance to guide dogs on public transportation has not been met with the greatest understanding as passengers and ticket inspectors are loathe to traveling with pets that take up additional space and might drool.
Eyes on Four Paws is fighting for change by lobbying government and speaking with the media to create an enhanced quality of life for the visually impaired. There have been some small victories. The Sophia municipality is now permitting Guide Dogs on public transportation. Persistence works wonders!
As a volunteer puppy raiser I intend to remain persistent in my effort to pass on my experience to others and to continue the fight for "eyes on four paws." If you think about it, no one is safe from the misfortune of becoming handicapped and it's important to build tolerance for people with disabilities.
