Rights at work for dogs with jobs
“He’s my friend,” says Luke about Jerry the Labrador. “He picks up things for me - gets my shoes, my keys and my hat - anything I need.”
Jerry is one of a growing band of assistance dogs. These dogs, which are specifically trained to carry out a range of tasks, will soon have the same rights to access public spaces as guide dogs or hearing dogs under new laws.
In the past, only guide dogs and hearing dogs were permitted by Queensland legislation to access public places such as shops, supermarkets, restaurants, movie theatres, libraries and public transport. Under the Guide, Hearing and Assistance Dogs Bill 2008, people using assistance dogs that have been trained, tested and certified by an approved trainer will have the same rights to keep their dogs with them.
Approximately 100 Queenslanders currently use assistance dogs to perform helpful tasks for their handlers or to alert others if their handlers experience an epileptic or diabetic seizure.
Under the proposed laws dogs will need to pass a public access test and be certified by a trainer. Certain places will still be out of bounds to assistance, guide and hearing dogs including food preparation areas and sterile areas in hospitals.
For information 13 13 04.