Meet & Greet Super Smart Guide Dogs This Saturday (5 Oct) in Waterway Point

I won’t blame you if you’re not familiar with Labrador Retrievers.

These working dogs are usually found in military and police camps, training to sniff out drugs or explosive. In Singapore, not many people have them as pets as they’re not HDB-approved, simply because they’re super bigly.

Like, this bigly.

Its cousin, the Golden Retriever, is more popular, and if I were to speculate, I’d say it’s because it looks more atas.

But the Labrador Retrievers, commonly known as Labradors, is the most popular dog breed in the US, with the honour of being the #1 dog breed there for almost 30 years. And it’s easy to see why: it’s one of the most intelligent dog breeds and is always eager to please.

The innocent-looking dog, however, is popular in Singapore for another reason: they’re also a guide dog.

And it helps that in recent months, Clare, the guide dog that’s handled by Hong Sen, has gone extremely viral for performing her duty like a kiasu auntie in the train.

If what I’ve written still can’t convince you how smart and gentle Labradors are, perhaps it’s time to make a trip down to Waterway Point this Saturday.

Yes, the mall with an escalator that has its steps dislodged recently.

White Cane Day

Unless you’re lucky enough to be a K9 handler during your NSF days, your chances of seeing a Labrador are rather slim.

Fret not as on 5 October 2019, it’s the White Cane Day.

Located in Waterway Point from 10:30 a.m. to 7pm, the event seeks to recognise the achievements of people who are blind or have visual impairment, raise awareness about visual impairment and guide dogs, and to promote for the employability of people with disabilities.

Organised by Guide Dogs Singapore Ltd (GDS), a social service agency and charity formed in 2006, this is the third time it’s happening and they plan to raise $100,000 to match more guide dog teams in Singapore, enable wider education and awareness outreach and enhance rehabilitation programmes for their people with visual impairment.

So, what can you expect from the event?

For a start, there are many new programmes this year.

Here are the highlights:

• Information technology demonstration by GDS’ clients and specialists (new)
• Booths by like-minded partners to showcase how people with impairment can enjoy different things in life (new)
• Band performances by people with visual impairment (new)
• Massage service by GDS’ clients (not by the dogs ah)
• Guide dog and white cane demonstrations by GDS’ guide dog teams, clients with visual impairment and specialists
• Activities like simulated activities of daily living and obstacle course blindfold walks (most probably not guided by the Labradors lah)
• Free eye screening by Ngee Ann Poly Optometry Centre & Topcon Singapore Medical Pte Ltd

And most importantly…there’s a meet and greet with the guide dogs!

Now, if you’ve watched Little Q and wonder how a guide dog can be sooooooooo smart, you know where to head to this Saturday le.

And by the way, if you’re on the way there and see Clare, don’t bother trying to get a seat. Clare’s auntie level is level 99.

Also, give her some space, please.