Singer Tim McCallum adds his voice to Assistance Dog awareness campaign

Published Thursday, 06 August, 2015 at 12:00 PM

Minister for Disability Services, Minister for Seniors and Minister Assisting the Premier on North Queensland
The Honourable Coralee O'Rourke

The Voice star Tim McCallum and his assistance dog ‘Roxy’ joined Disability Services Minister Coralee O’Rourke at Stones Corner today to show how assistance dogs provide support, as part of a new awareness campaign.

Minister O’Rourke said International Assistance Dog Week (2-8 August) was a time to recognise hard-working assistance dogs that carried out a range of tasks to improve the lives of their handlers.

“We are rolling out a community awareness campaign to better explain the role of guide, hearing and assistance dogs and the access rights of certified dogs in Queensland,” Mrs O’Rourke said.

“This week gives us a chance to remind everyone that these specially-trained, certified dogs have the same access rights in public places as everyone else.

“This includes shops, hospitality venues, rental and holiday accommodation, taxis, aircraft, public transport and entertainment and sporting facilities.

“It is against the law for a person who relies on a certified guide, hearing or assistance dog to be denied access to public places, separated from their dog or charged extra.

“To identify a certified dog, just look for its harness or identifying coat which will have the round blue and white badge on it, or ask to see the handler’s identity card.

“I would encourage all Queenslanders to keep an eye out for the awareness campaign to learn more about assistance dogs and their rights.”

Singer Tim McCallum said it was important guide, hearing and assistance dogs were accepted wherever their handler went.

“Roxy is part of who I am, where I go and what I do. Having an inclusive society where assistance dogs are accepted along with us, makes our life so much easier and helps with our emotional and physical independence,” Mr McCallum said.

“It’s important that everyone comes on board — from community members to business owners — to work together and pave the way for an inclusive future where acceptance of guide, hearing and assistance dogs is the norm.”

Assistance Dogs Australia instructor Cherie Bekker said assistance dogs could be almost any breed and size, and their roles and tasks varied depending on the needs of the handlers they support.

“They may not all be as instantly recognisable as guide dogs, which are often Labradors or Retrievers, but they are just as important to their handlers,” Ms Bekker said.

“They are vital in helping their handlers live a full life, and as such they are afforded the same access to public places, public transport and accommodation as everyone else.”

Individuals can be fined up to $12,000 and corporations up to $59,000 for denying access.

For more information call 13QGOV (13 74 68) or go to www.qld.gov.au/ghaad.

Media Contact:          Minister O’Rourke’s office                  3719 7184