Guide dog on Talonpojankatu Campus
In the hallways of Centria, you may come across a guide dog assisting a student this spring.
You must not touch or pet a guide dog that is on duty (i.e., wearing a harness), speak to it, or otherwise draw its attention in any way, so as not to disrupt its concentration on its work. You must also not touch the dog’s leash or harness. Young dogs just starting their careers, in particular, may still be uncertain and easily confused by any unusual situations.
Guide dogs have legal access to all premises where it is appropriate for the person they are guiding to enter, even if pets are otherwise prohibited—such as in restaurants or stores. If a guide dog and a person with an animal allergy are in the same space (such as a classroom), they should discuss a solution to the situation. Neither party has a primary right to be there, nor the right to exclude the other.
You can always ask the guide dog user if they need assistance or how to act appropriately in different situations. The websites of the Finnish Federation of the Visually Impaired and the Guide Dog Association also offer plenty of additional information on the topic in Finnsih. We welcome the guide dog to be part of everyday life at Centria!