Since our inception, we have been pushing constantly, behind the scenes, to create a conducive environment for the usage of Guide Dogs in Singapore. Potential Guide Dog users can rest assured that Singapore is a lot more accepting of Guide Dogs today than it was only a few years ago. Our major accomplishments include the following:

1. Bringing in Singapore’s first Guide Dog team.

Singapore’s first Guide Dog, Kendra, belongs to Mr Kua Cheng Hock. Kendra has been with Mr Kua since 2005, and continues to enrich his daily life.

2. Signing an MOU with international guide dog schools to provide trained Guide Dogs to our beneficiaries.

Our partners have agreed to provide our beneficiaries with fully trained Guide Dogs. Those who successfully qualify to get one will be sent overseas for a four-week training programme hosted by partners. They will pair our beneficiaries with a suitable Guide Dog, and train them in how to work with one.

3. Gaining greater acceptance of Guide Dog usage.

The Government of Singapore, through the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports, has issued requests to all public and government-owned and operated establishments to allow the blind and their Guide Dogs freedom of access.

4. Gaining admittance for Guide Dogs on Public Transport Services

The Singapore Mass Rapid Transit (SMRT) and Singapore Bus Services (SBS) have allowed Guide Dogs on their trains and public buses since 1987 and 2005 respectively.The relevant excerpt can be seen here.

5. Gaining accessibility for Guide Dogs in HDB Flats

The Housing Development Board (HDB) made amendments to the “only small dogs” rule so that the properly trained Guide Dogs which are usually large Labrador retriever dogs are now allowed in their highrise homes on a “case-by-case” basis.

6. Gaining accessibility for Guide Dogs in Restaurants and Food Centres.

The National Environmental Agency (NEA) has also amended the Environment Public Health Act to allow Guide Dogs into restaurants and food centres since 1 January 2006.  The relevant excerpt can be seen by clicking here.

Currently, we are focusing on increasing acceptance of Guide Dogs in shopping malls and restaurants. To this end, we have launched our 'Friendly Decal Campaign'. To find out more about this, click here.