As a user of a service dog, though not a guide dog, I was interested in this movie despite the fact that it was on one of the Hallmark channels. I regretted it while the opening credits were still running and showing actors names both in print and braille as though someone would be reading it that way on screen. If anything, the pseudo braille would likely cause problems for someone using a screen reader trying to parse that silliness.
Then we have the way she loses her sight, she is struck on the head by a rock while rock climbing which causes her to fall and strike her head on a larger rock.
Then we have the guide dog candidates (puppies). Everything from their genetics and breeding is planned and they are socialized from birth. The selected puppy, Garth, would not have been a valid candidate for advanced (guide dog) training and would likely have been released to less exacting training via other service dog training organizations or groups for other services, or been made available for a pet adoption perhaps with a contract allowing the breeder to utilize the dog for a single breeding to maintain the gene pool and lineage with the puppies being the property of the breeder then the dog would be spayed or neutered to prevent accidental breeding in the future.
There are scenes where the puppy raiser gives the puppy a salty potato chip, later having a conversation with their child about how unfocused thf puppy is and using it as an excuse for not taking it inside a store or other building. Puppy raisers have a set of guidelines to follow including how to socialize and train the puppy(s). If the puppy was having issues, and proving unsuitable for service, they would have been in contact with the program coordinator.
I won't belabor the many other inaccuracies rife in this movie as the guide dog is clearly considered an unimportant detail to the movie and is simply used as a plot device.
Also, a little known fact is that guide and other service dogs can cost many thousands of dollars, an expense that is usually not paid for by any insurance and depending upon the dog's duties they are often retired by the age of 7 to 9 years old. Many recipients of service dogs are aided by their church or other organizations in fund raising to allow them the independence that a real service dog can provide.
Additionally, there are federal laws, under ADA, protecting trained Service Dogs and their handler allowing them access to many public places. No such protections are provided to or for untrained emotional support animals.
Then we have the way she loses her sight, she is struck on the head by a rock while rock climbing which causes her to fall and strike her head on a larger rock.
Then we have the guide dog candidates (puppies). Everything from their genetics and breeding is planned and they are socialized from birth. The selected puppy, Garth, would not have been a valid candidate for advanced (guide dog) training and would likely have been released to less exacting training via other service dog training organizations or groups for other services, or been made available for a pet adoption perhaps with a contract allowing the breeder to utilize the dog for a single breeding to maintain the gene pool and lineage with the puppies being the property of the breeder then the dog would be spayed or neutered to prevent accidental breeding in the future.
There are scenes where the puppy raiser gives the puppy a salty potato chip, later having a conversation with their child about how unfocused thf puppy is and using it as an excuse for not taking it inside a store or other building. Puppy raisers have a set of guidelines to follow including how to socialize and train the puppy(s). If the puppy was having issues, and proving unsuitable for service, they would have been in contact with the program coordinator.
I won't belabor the many other inaccuracies rife in this movie as the guide dog is clearly considered an unimportant detail to the movie and is simply used as a plot device.
Also, a little known fact is that guide and other service dogs can cost many thousands of dollars, an expense that is usually not paid for by any insurance and depending upon the dog's duties they are often retired by the age of 7 to 9 years old. Many recipients of service dogs are aided by their church or other organizations in fund raising to allow them the independence that a real service dog can provide.
Additionally, there are federal laws, under ADA, protecting trained Service Dogs and their handler allowing them access to many public places. No such protections are provided to or for untrained emotional support animals.