Malta: Blind woman's guide dog taken from her

MALTA -- A visually-impaired woman feels as if she were forced back into a life of disability after her guide dog was taken away from her by the Malta Guide Dogs Foundation.

Bridget Micallef, 47, was thrilled to have received her first guide dog, Barbie, in December 2014.
Ms Micallef credits guide dog Barbie with transforming her life completely by offering an incredible sense of confidence, independence and freedom.

However, like a bolt from the blue, the guide dog was removed from her 10 months later after a report drawn up by a Swedish trainer decided there was no bond between the animal and the handler.

“I broke down. For me it was as if my whole world had stopped,” Ms Micallef told this newspaper. “It was like my little baby. I was living a dream for 10 months and I was suddenly awakened.”

Ms Micallef and her family are insisting the report is inaccurate. They also decried the way matters were being handled.

Barbie was given to Ms Micallef in a “graduation ceremony” which was held at the Helen Keller Regional Centre, in Messina after two weeks of solid training.

At the time, the Malta Guide Dog Foundation had issued a statement, quoting its orientation and mobility instructor saying the pair were bonding and that she was “impressed with the progress achieved so far”.

“Barbie and I clicked immediately,” Ms Micallef says. “At the beginning I had a bit of difficulty putting my trust in a dog instead of a sighted person. But the teamwork happened and it was handed over to me. The school is very strict; they would never have given me Barbie if I was not prepared.”

Thanks to Barbie, Ms Micallef would make the seven-minute walk from her home to church every day by herself. The two walked smoothly, with Barbie guiding Ms Micallef into crossing the roads safely.

There were some initial hiccups, such as Barbie’s fondness for chasing cats, however, they were dealt with and ironed out through Ms Micallef’s persistent training.

In October, Ms Micallef was informed she would be assessed by a Swedish trainer, who observed her and Barbie for about an hour.

Ms Micallef was then informed by the Malta Guide Dog Foundation that the subsequent report drawn up by the trainer stated that there was no bond between the two and that the dog needed to go into retraining to establish whether it qualified as a guide dog.

“We were told that it was for Bridget’s safety,” Ms Micallef’s sister, Theresa, said. “But we know that Bridget was safe as I had often followed her and Barbie. I would never have allowed my sister to go out alone if I weren’t absolutely sure she would be safe.”

The report also stated that the dog was distressed but a vet had often commented on what a happy dog Barbie was.

Ms Micallef was told that Barbie and herself would be taken to Messina for retraining.

However, no flights have yet been booked and Ms Micallef has not seen Barbie since October 22, despite recommendations by the National Commission Person with Disability that Barbie be returned to her as soon as possible so that the required retraining could start immediately before the two fly to Italy.

“I saw a complete change in my sister thanks to Barbie,” Theresa Micallef said in a choked voice.
“From a person locked in her own world, she started to emerge from her shell. She was entrusted with something precious for 10 months and it was suddenly taken away from her.”

Asked for a reaction, the Malta Guide Dog Foundation said it acted in a totally professional manner, in line with international standards established by the International Guide Dog Federation and “acted on the advice of several international experts”.

The National Commission Person with Disability was trying to find a solution that was in the best long-term interests of Ms Micallef and Barbie, the foundation said.

(Times of Malta - Jan 25, 2016)