Guide Dogs Singapore Ltd

We are the only charity organisation that trains and provides guide dogs to people with VI. Many lives have been transformed by guide dogs and we aim to make Singapore a guide dog friendly and inclusive nation where guide dogs and their users/handlers are an integral part of our community.

In 2005, the first Guide Dog was successfully brought into Singapore. Since with the help of our Patron, Professor Tommy Koh, Ambassador-at-Large with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Since then, we have successfully paired five guide dog with our clients.

We have successfully initiated changes in legislation:
1. Guide dogs are legally allowed to stay in HDB estates.
2. Guide dogs are legally allowed access to public places and transport, and F&B establishments including halal-certified (supported by The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore).
3. Guide dogs are recognised as service animals for the blind and the same legislation that governs pets dogs do not apply to guide dogs.

Still, much work remains to be done. As Professor Tommy Koh said, we aim to help Singapore “become the most disabled friendly city in Asia.”

A person’s disabilities should not limit their potential to contribute to society. People with VI have as much potential as anyone, but without your support, their disability will become an insurmountable barrier.

These are some misconceptions and truths about people with VI:

1. They have to be accompanied everywhere they go. Not true. With training, many people with VI can use the white canes or guide dogs to travel independently and safely. They can also use the smart phones, computers, and take care of their personal daily needs.

2. They are not employable and they may need a lot more help than sighted employees. Not true. Majority of the sighted people are not aware that the current technology enables people with VI to perform many tasks, and there are generous subsidy schemes available via SGEnable. With reference to point 1, we teach them skills to be independent in their daily life. This lack of awareness hampers their chance of employment.

As of 2019, just 5 out of 100 people with disabilities are employed (source: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/just-5-in-100-persons-here-with-disabilities-have-jobs). As a nation, we can do so much more!

3. There are people who are resistant to dogs due to allergies, fear and religions, guide dogs shouldn’t go near them. Well, we can only ask for empathy and understanding from them. There’s no reason to fear guide dogs as they are naturally docile and do not interact with strangers or disturb anyone in public. As for allergies, airborne allergies caused by dogs are extremely rare. MUIS encourages Muslims to be understanding towards guide dog users; in addition service animals are differentiated from normal pet dogs because they reduce humans’ suffering.