Emily Michael is a writing professor at the University of North Florida and she鈥檚 been blind her whole life.
And for the past couple years, instead of getting around by cane, she鈥檚 been guided by her black Labrador retriever, York.
And for the past couple years, instead of getting around by cane, she鈥檚 been guided by her black Labrador retriever, York.
After teaching a class Friday, Michael was sitting outside of the school鈥檚 coffee shop with York by her side, in his harness.
Michael said people approach her, or sometimes just York, every day and most people simply don鈥檛 understand service dog etiquette.
She said the fundamental rules are: don鈥檛 make eye-contact, and don鈥檛 pet or talk to service animals.
鈥淚f somebody walks by and goes, 鈥極h, puppy! puppy!鈥� his head will turn to them. It鈥檚 like if you were driving on a highway and your vision clicked off,鈥� she said.鈥�
She said when she and York are walking, he鈥檚 supposed to be looking for obstacles and figuring out the safest route.
And, she added, etiquette rules should even be applied when it looks like he鈥檚 relaxing.
鈥淚f he鈥檚 lying under a table and it looks like he鈥檚 not doing anything, he is actually working very hard,鈥� she said.
Michael said York gets plenty of playtime at home, but when he鈥檚 wearing his harness, he鈥檚 her eyes.
October is National Blindness Awareness Month.
Lindsey Kilbride can be reached at lkilbride@wjct.org, 904-358-6359 or on Twitter at @lindskilbride
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