Reyes, Jermaine Rhianne R.

St. Catherine

Meet Luther, Thailand’s only guide dog, and his brave owner fighting for understanding
August 4, 2019

BANGKOK: Luther lies patiently and quietly, head resting on the lap of his young owner. The 4-year-old
black labrador retriever is wearing his guide dog harness - even though he is idle, he remains on duty.

Deep down though, and despite his years of specialised training, Luther is still a dog. All around him fellow
canines are enjoying a walk in the park. His head turns with interest, his ears prick and he sniffs at the
breeze with curiosity.

“He’s going like, ‘I’m a guide dog, I’m a guide dog, I’m a guide dog, I’m not supposed to do that’. He’s still
certainly a dog,” laughs Kirin Techawongtham, who commonly goes by the name Sai.

Luther and Sai are an intrinsically connected duo. Sai is blind and for the past two years, she and Luther
have undertaken a rare and special journey together, as dependents, travellers and friends.

Young and optimistic, Sai said she did not grasp the enormity of the change that was coming. She still
believed her eyesight would return, sometime, somehow. Nine years on, it has not.

“I feel like my cause is bigger than just raising awareness about guide dogs and getting access into buildings
with my guide dog. I feel that Thai people think that blind or disabled people are kind of dependent, they
can’t live by themselves and I want that to change,” she said

“I really want people to come in with the thinking that disabled people can live a very independent life and
they can support themselves as long as you give them the opportunity to and give them the right support.”
As she and Luther stroll confidently down a footpath, breeze in their hair and fur respectively from an
adjoining lake, independent is one of the first words that comes to mind.

Source: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/thailand-only-guide-dog-and-blind-owner-
11773114

REAKSYON:

Ako ay lubos na humahanga kay Sai sa kadahilanan ng sa kabila ng kanyang kapansanan ay hindi ito naging
hadlang upang magkaroon ng sariling alagang aso. Hindi biro ang maging amo ng isang aso. Ang pagkakaroon ng
determinasyon na baguhin ang kaisipan ng nakararami patungkol sa mga may kapansanan ang lubos kong hinangaan
kay Sai. Nawa lahat ng mga batang katulad ko ay maging tulad niya.