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Guide Dogs warn of risks of distracting working animals in new Respect My Uniform campaign
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Most people know they are not supposed to touch a working guide dog in a harness, but what many do not realise is that a well-intentioned pat can undo months of training.
Frequent distractions can cause anxiety or serious injury for guide dogs and their handlers.
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"It can lose concentration while walking and if you're crossing a road or walking up and down stairs or escalators it can actually be quite dangerous."
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"Anytime that he's working and someone pats him, he won't focus on what he's supposed to be doing and that can be quite dangerous," Mr McLaren said.
link
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-04-26/guide-dog-handlers-warn-people-should-not-touch-working-animals/7360480?section=nsw
