Ash's Fantastic Friend

So the children asked Ash politely, and Ash let the children take a photograph with Pax.

Pax started his training when he was two months old. First he learnt social skills with his puppy raiser. He learnt basic social skills, such as not to go on sofas and not to bark, bite or chew.

After Ash and Pax were matched, they underwent training as a pair. They learnt how to go between Ash’s school and her home together.

This is Pax. Pax is Ash’s guide dog. Pax is a golden retriever. He is five years old.

Pax and Ash left the school campus to take a bus. Some children saw them and ran across the street to pat Pax. The children were excited about playing with Pax. They even wanted to give Pax a treat for being so adorable!

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There are some inconveniences in the daily lives of the visually impaired. People assume that they need a lot of help when they travel, but Ash is independent and can go around on her own. Do you want to know her secret?

After their bus ride, Ash went to the restaurant that she always went to during Pax’s training. However, the waiter did not let them in. “Sorry, no pets are allowed,” said the waiter.

This is Ash. She is the principal of a School for the Visually Impaired.

He also learnt how to follow commands, such as to sit quietly under a table, and to only go to the toilet outdoors under command.

Pax was very happy to see Molly; they both wagged their tails. They were excited to be together because they hardly saw each other now that they were both working.

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Ash was frustrated. Luckily, the restaurant owner saw Pax’s harness, and told the waiter to let them in. “He is not a pet. He is a guide dog.” Ash thanked the owner for explaining the situation.

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Charlie asked how Pax was doing, and Ash replied:

Wonderful! Pax is not only a fantastic friend, but he is also my best companion! I love him very much; we are the best team!

Ash told the children that they could not play with Pax because he was working. “If you interfere with his work, he may get distracted and then we will get lost. If you want to pat Pax or take a photograph with him, you should ask me first.”

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He also went to different places to strengthen his guiding skills. Although he was scared of big objects like trains and escalators at first, he learnt to keep calm and became accustomed to them.

After lunch in the restaurant, Ash walked to the guide dog training school with Pax.

Ash is the principal of a School for the Visually Impaired. As she is also visually impaired, she has a&nbsp;guide&nbsp;dog, Pax, to help her out. Today Ash and Pax went to the guide dog training school to meet Pax’s trainer, Charlie, and his sister Molly. Let’s read about two experiences they faced while on the way to the training school.&nbsp;

She never displays favouritism, and always reminds them that they have the same potential as other people despite their visual impairment. You can say she is a person who lives by her word.

Molly received training to be a guide dog too, but she was too energetic for a guide dog. In the end she became a therapy dog at the children’s hospital. She plays with children with cancer to cheer them up.

Ash also learnt many commands to communicate with Pax. Ash was excited to travel with Pax, and he became her best companion when she travelled around the city.

When Pax was 14 months old he went to the guide dog training school. With the help of his trainer, Charlie, Pax learnt how to help the visually impaired. He had to avoid obstacles and find different objects like tables and chairs.

This book is an outcome of the project "Development of Children's E-books to Enhance Young Learners' Gender and Cultural Awareness", under the supervision of Dr Jackie Fung King Lee. The project was supported by the Faculty Knowledge Transfer Fund (Faculty of Humanities, The Education University of Hong Kong).

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The students admire Ash because she is assertive. When they are frustrated, she often tells them to be the best version of themselves in every aspect of their lives.

Ash’s Fantastic Friend

Lai, Rachel; Cheung, Man Yan Doris; Lee, Fung King Jackie The Education University of Hong Kong

Today, Ash and Pax are going to the guide dog training school for a reunion with Charlie. Pax’s sister Molly will also be there.

He is quiet and focused, especially when he is on the job. He has gone through two years of training, as well as many examinations, to qualify as guide dog.

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