I was travelling home from Edmonton with my guide dog, Guardian, and another guide dog team. We arrived at the airport several hours before our flight, leaving us plenty of time to grab some lunch.
After checking in at the accessibility desk, we were advised to sit and wait for an Air Canada staff member to escort us through security closer to boarding time. But we were hungry and knew we didn't need to wait for an escort.
My travelling companion and I decided to use our guide dogs to navigate the airport ourselves. If I needed additional information along the way, I had access to Aira Explorer App and my Meta glasses.
With Guardian’s support and my friend’s guide dog leading their team, we oriented ourselves toward security and found the line. The dogs helped us safely navigate around people and obstacles as we calmly made our way through the airport.
For me, Guardian gives me confidence and the reassurance that I will be safe. Having our guide dogs with us also made us more visible, and staff assisted us through the security process when needed.
Once we were through security, we listened to the world around us and found a brewery, where we enjoyed lunch and a pint. Getting a proper meal was important because we didn’t know when we would have another opportunity to eat before arriving home. It made for a much more pleasant travel day.
After lunch, we found a place to wait for our flight, and when it was time to board, someone directed us to the jetway.
Having Guardian with me makes a world of difference in my confidence to figure things out and get where I need to go. Even if something goes wrong, I know I will be okay because I have a teammate who will do his best to make sure I am safe. He also has a fun personality and keeps me laughing.
I've been a guide dog handler for a long time, and guide dogs, including Guardian, have changed my life and my outlook. They have supported me in surprising ways and allowed me to live life on my own terms.
— Karoline, guide dog handler
From ferries and buses to planes, trains, and cars, guide dogs help make every journey possible for their handlers. Learn more about Guide Dog Access Awareness Month and discover how you can help ensure guide dog teams are welcomed wherever they go. Visit guidedogchampions.ca.