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Ottawa presenter Shelby Travers takes us
into the life of a guide dog user
and weighs the pros and cons of a guide
dog versus a white cane.
SHELBY TRAVERS: I've been using an assistive mobility device
since I lost my vision in 2008.
I used a cane for most of that period of time,
until three and a half years ago, I
transitioned to using a guide dog named Francis.
Thanks to Fran's extensive two years of training,
I now don't have to rely on my own way of finding skills,
because I can rely on her.
She's able to find things like stairs, chairs, floors,
and elevators.
Franny, find the elevator.
I made the decision to transition
from a white cane to a guide dog--
Oh, you is a cute baby.
Because I've always loved dogs.
And whenever I visioned myself, you know,
walking around as an adult in the world,
it was with a guide dog, not a cane.
I found the transition from a white cane to a guide dog quite
difficult actually, because all of a sudden,
I was going from having the trust within my own hands,
like you do with a cane, to having to trust another being.
And with that, I had to establish
the trust and the bond with Francis for us
to be a successful team.
I still use my white cane from time to time.
I will say that it's pretty rare nowadays,
but I do use it if Francis is sick for whatever reason.
Or if I am going to a bar with friends.
Or any of those type of scenarios
that might not be the safest or just the best
environment for Frances.
I mean, Mom needs a night out every once in a while.
I've been trained to use a marshmallow roller-tip cane.
I use it going side to side with each step, which
tends to become an issue when dealing
with snow or uneven sidewalks.
The advantages of using a white cane
are definitely a sense of freedom, in a way.
You can go anywhere you want, at any sort of time.
And you don't have another being to care about.
As well as it's a lot cheaper.
With a guide dog, you have to think about vet bills.
You have to think about boots or a jacket.
Good girl, put on your boots.
And ultimately you have to think about that one day you
might have to transition to another guide dog,
and you will lose your partner.
Good girl, forward.
Ultimately there are so many pros and cons
to having a guide dog or a cane.
But at the end of the day, you have
to remember that a dog is a responsibility, but also
And so I am going to choose the dog every time. And so I am going to choose the dog every time.