Many people are out of work right now as schools and businesses are shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic.
But that means many service animals are unable to work, too.
Around three weeks ago, my dog guide, Payton, and I traveled home to Kansas City for spring break. Since the pandemic, we haven’t left the house other than for walks around the block because of a shelter-in-place order.
Listen to the audio of KSMU's Afton Harper and her dog guide, Payton, here.
Payton's a four-year-old Golden Labrador Retriever. Normally, he gets a lot of exercise walking to my classes, but that's changed since all of my classes at Missouri State University have been moved online.
The organization Leader Dogs for the Blind has issued some tips for dog guide handlers on how to keep their dogs active. The group recommends regular obedience training and finding interactive toys to keep the dogs stimulated. I've bought Payton new chew toys.
However, Payton gets bored of old toys and it's hard right now to get any supplies in a timely fashion. Most of my Amazon orders take around a week to be delivered and Walmart trips are next to impossible with how hectic stores are.
We're both looking forward to the day we can come back to campus and to the radio station after these abnormal times have passed.
In the meantime, Payton will be doing a few normal activities, like eating, staying hydrated, and taking walks around the neighborhood.
According to the National Federation of the Blind website, Missouri was home to 153,900 visually impaired residents in 2016.
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