WELCOME: Griffith woman Kerry Sullivan and her dog Gemma want locals to know that by law they are allowed inside shops after being denied entry twice in two weeks. Picture: Anthony Stipo
GRIFFITH business owners are being reminded that by law guide dogs are allowed in shops.
The prompt comes after Kerry Sullivan and her guide dog Gemma were refused entry to two local premises in the last two weeks.
Ms Sullivan, who lost her eyesight at the age of four-and-a-half when she choked on a cherry pip and suffered a stroke, said it was extremely distressing to be denied access.
"Gemma provides me with the ability to get around town and live my life independently," Ms Sullivan said.
"When I'm refused entry to shops it rattles my confidence and I don't feel like going out.
"I hope local businesses will become aware that it's illegal if they refuse Gemma and me access.
"I just want to be able to go into any shop, anywhere."
Ms Sullivan and her guide dog have been asked to leave Griffith businesses twice in two weeks.
She said the latest incident, involving a local butcher, was the last straw.
"He told me to 'get the thing out', it was intimidating and it scared me," Ms Sullivan said.
"I tried to explain that she is a guide dog and that my dog is my eyes, but he just ignored me.
"I'm fed up. I shouldn't have to explain myself all the time.
"I've been chased out of two places in two weeks the other shop apologised once they realised and I've accepted that."
Guide Dogs NSW/ACT staff from Albury will be in Griffith next Wednesday and will join Ms Sullivan and Gemma on a tour of the CBD to encourage local businesses to place a Guide Dogs Welcome Here sticker in their windows.
The walk follows the re-launch of the Guide Dogs Welcome Here campaign, which reminds the public of the federal and state laws allowing guide dogs into all venues with their owners.
Guide Dogs NSW/ACT regional manager for Southern NSW, Ross Still, hopes that face-to-face contact with local businesses will have a positive impact for guide dog owners like Ms Sullivan.
"We hope that by educating the businesses in Griffith about the guide dog access laws and how to provide assistance to patrons with impaired vision, Kerry and other guide dog owners will be able to confidently go about their days just like everyone else," Mr Still said.