A student with her guide dog

Q: Tell us a little about yourself?

My name is Zein and I am a fourth year PhD researcher in Media and Cultural Policy at the University of Glasgow. I am Jordanian and have been living in Glasgow for four years now. I am visually impaired and I am a guide dog owner. You may have seen me walking around our picturesque campus accompanied by my Guide Dog Mitch, a four-year-old fox colored Golden Retriever. When not working on my PhD research, you can find Mitch and I traveling around Scotland in search for hidden gems.

Q2: Why did you decide to apply for a Guide Dog?

After being a cane user for 10 years I decided I needed an aid that would help me get back more of my independence, but also add a sense of companionship. I always knew at some point in time I was going to apply for one and what better time than when moving to a different country during a pandemic. I also have lived with dogs all my life especially retrievers so, I knew I wanted to be matched with either a Labrador or Golden Retriever. I knew it would add more joy to my existing PhD journey.

Q3: How has your life changed since Mitch came into it?

Mitch has given me so much freedom and added more joy to my life. Yes, I was independent when I was a cane user but, having Mitch has given me that extra push of confidence to do more things that I would not do on my own with my white cane. I am now able to get on a train, bus, ferry and plane on my own with Mitch by my side for comfort. I have been able to travel to more places around the UK with so much ease with Mitch: me the navigator, Mitch the driver. I am now able to walk during dusk without being afraid that I will not be able to see or lose my way. I know no matter what I will end up back home safely 

We work as a team and because our bond is strong he can sense when I get nervous or stressed in crowded places. I am now able to navigate these spaces and crowds with less nerves because Mitch guides me through them. Throughout my PhD, there were times when I have felt alone, stressed, and panicked. Yet, with Mitch laying under my desk at the ARC I am not alone. Just being there as support makes such a huge difference.

Q4: What has surprised you most about life with a guide dog?

What surprised me the most about having Mitch in my life is how strong our bond is as a team. We are coming up to two years as a partnership yet, it feels we have been a team for much longer. Whenever he is not around I miss his presence.

Q5: Has Mitch added more responsibility to your lifestyle?

Yes, but the enjoyable type. Waking up early and taking Mitch out on his walks, feeding him and going on free runs takes a lot of time and effort. However, it gives me the opportunity to be more active, have a solid routine of my own and take necessary breaks from being behind technology. We sometimes forget how important it is to take care of ourselves because we have a busy schedule, but that’s not the case when having a Guide Dog as they need to be looked after.

Q6: What would you like people to know about guide dogs that they’re usually oblivious about?

I feel I need to always reiterate this - never distract a guide dog when in harness. When they are wearing their yellow harness that has the ‘Guide Dog’ logo on it, it means that they are working. This is where you should never distract them as it could put a Guide Dog owner such as myself in danger. This also includes no whistling or clicking voices or doing anything that may distract him from working. Also, if you are a fellow dog owner and see a Guide Dog working in harness, please try and keep your dogs in check. It distracts our dogs when another dog comes up to say hello. You are welcome to come say hello or pet Mitch when he is off harness after asking, but reframe from doing so when he is working.

Q7: How does Mitch contribute to your PhD?

Mitch has brought joy and adventure to my PhD journey. Ever since we qualified I have been able to be more outdoors and take breaks in-between writing and editing. We go on daily walks, go to new places to explore during the weekend, which helps me step away from the computer screen to give my eyes the rest they need. I have been able to travel more with Mitch and watch sunrises and sunsets with him by my side. During the long winter days when I would feel less motivated and isolated due to being night blind, Mitch has comforted me while working on my research giving me a sense of comfort and removing that shadow of isolation. Honestly, he is a life changer, my angel wrapped in fur.

Q8: What needs to be changed about the university to improve the experience of future visually impaired students with guide dogs?

The university needs to focus more on spreading awareness about having guide dogs on campus. They need to make sure its staff and students are aware of other students with guide dogs. While I am happy to spread awareness about my journey with Mitch, the university has a duty to make sure us students feel welcome and safe when walking around campus, which they do, but need to do more of. The university needs to train its staff and educate students on how to interact with guide dogs and other service dogs in order for them to help spread the word.

First published: 10 October 2024

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