Public Presentation of “Independence Dogs Austria” and a multi-day seminar for assistance dog handlers and their service dogs
08.09.2021-12.09.2021
It was a great couple of days. Luckily the weather was with us all the way and our local township was supportive as well, ready to provide shelter if needed. The opening was cheerful and the service dogs highly impressed the police dog trainer that attended with their excellent discipline.


Getting ready to enter the train station in Gleisdorf with all the teams lined up indicating the sidewalk. A half hour train ride to the city at Graz main train station followed.

The guide dog refuses to continue after it becomes clear to him that the way he entered into the semi truck no longer works for the team. The other option, which is no option, leads to a precipice. The handler is intensely tuned into his guide dogs actions and searches for the problem the dog is showing him by using his mobility cane. This demonstrates the importance of the mobility cane.
Our training area was lined by tents for those adventurous enough to camp out. And of course we had had a camp fire and roasted marshmallows, an amazing schnapps tasting and even sang some songs and listened to some fiddle playing..
The last day, several teams ventured through the nearby picturesque ravine to a pop-up water hole at the end of the trek.