Guide Dogs Draw Attention in Paralympic Games

China has lagged behind the world in the training and use of canine guides. There are only six people in the Chinese mainland who own and use such dogs, unlike German and Japan, where guild dogs enjoys greater popularity.

The training amount of guide dogs is so large that only rich blind people now can afford to buy one such dog. But expensive money is not the only obstacle for it, people's awareness should change a little bit to make it more convenient for blind people to use guild dog. Many facilities and building are preventing guide dogs right now.

Walking with a large dog on the street is contradictory to regulations in many Chinese cities. In downtown Beijing, people can only walk their dogs early in the morning or late at night, and large dogs are strictly banned.

The situation are getting better and better for guide dog usage

Guide dogs for the blind will be allowed into public places such as subway stations and buses starting July, under a new law amendment passed recently.

Lawmakers said the change, in the amendment to the Law on the Protection of Disabled Persons, aims to better protect the rights and interests of the blind in the Beijing 2008 Paralympics in September, during which many athletes will bring their canine helpers to the capital.

"A guide dog is the best assistant to the blind. Allowing the use of the dogs in the Paralympics will give the blind more opportunities to join social activities," said Li Weihong, a member of the executive council of China Disabled Persons' Federation.

Every blind foreign national will be allowed to bring one such dog to China during the Games, which will be held from September 6-17, an official with the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Inspection and Quarantine said on Friday.

Dogs won't be quarantined if their owners provide certificates of good health and current rabies vaccinations, as well as proof of training as a guide dog, said Chong Yan.

Overseas animals usually face a 30-day quarantine in China.