Seeing Eye Dog, Walter expertly stepping out on the job. Walter (a black Labrador) walks in his blue & white harness, looking sideways at the camera guiding his Handler, Nina Smith (TravelPaws Founder & Director), visible only by her red boots.
Welcome from Nina Smith:
Audio Description:
Nina says "Hi, I'm Nina, my Guide Dog Nixon and I would like to welcome you to TravelPaws"
What TravelPaws Offers
Handler travel information
Information on the travel process, rules for specific countries, and tips & checklists.
International Handler Community
Do you want to share travel stories and learn from other handlers across the world? Join our Community.
Education and Awareness
Are you a business, service provider or member of the public? Do you want to ensure positive experiences for Handlers?
Travel Obligations and Tips
You don't have to compromise your independence, safety, security or mobility when you travel.
Leaving your Assistance Dog behind is like leaving your eyes, legs, ears, safety or security behind.
You should not be forced to leave your dog behind because the process is too hard.
Countries have different requirements, processes and exemptions for entering and leaving with an Assistance Dog.
Start with Introduction to Travel Rules
then browse
Travel Impacts for current topics that may impact your trip.
Steps & tips for Handlers embarking on international or domestic travel, as well as information for the tourism sector on improving Handler travel experiences.
Guide Dog Nixon relaxing but always watching. Nixon, a palomino coloured Labrador, is lying on a lawn in harness with his head up, attentively watching
Did you miss the Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Conference in the Asia-Pacific 2023?
Don't worry! Recordings of the AITCAP Virtual Day are now available to purchase online. You can access 5.5 hours of content for just $100. This includes a presentation by TravelPaws' own Nina Smith, who was joined by Michele Erwin from All Wheels Up to discuss campaign strategies that drive change.
Sound like something you're interested in? Click the link below to visit AITCAP's website where you can browse the event program and purchase recordings.
Business and Public Index
Tourism Sector Checklists
If you're a business or individual involved in the tourism sector, read through our checklist range on accessible tourism to find out how best to ensure positive travel experiences for Handlers.
Interaction Principles
Check out TravelPaws' guidelines for having respectful interactions with Handlers and their Assistance Dogs, which were put together using insights from our global network of Handlers.
Public Access Campaign
Get involved in our #WeDoTogether campaign, which aims to raise awareness about the public access rights of Assistance Dogs, by sharing your photos with us on Facebook or Instagram.
The TravelPaws Goal
We want Handlers to have the opportunity to TRAVEL WITHOUT BARRIERS.
TravelPaws is transforming the travel experience with your Assistance Dog by:
- encouraging you to consider the possibilities of travel
- connecting you with other Handlers to share experiences
- unravelling the complex maze of official travel requirements
- developing informative in-house resources
- presenting all information in a digestible format
- advocating to eliminate barriers & enable urgent travel
Dedications
I would like to shout out a huge thank-you to my beautiful first Seeing Eye Dog, Walter and my dear Guide Dog, Nixon both of whom, in different ways, helped me find my passion to travel again.
Nina Smith
Founder & Director, TravelPaws.
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