Seeing-eye-dogs to serve Beijing Paralympic Games better

The S- E- D play an important role in integrating the blind into society, promoting the cause of the disabled and helping to stage successful Paralympics, said Tang Xiaoquan, BOCOG executive vice-president and president of the Executive Board of the China Disabled Persons' Federation (CDPF).

She urged the CDPF, the China Association of the Blind and BOOCG to attach greater importance to the proper treatment and use of the dogs so that the needs of the blind athletes can be met. The task with the S- E- D need to be stressed in respect of cooperation between various organizations, public awareness as well as communication and education, Tang added.

Li Zhijun, president of the China Association of the Blind, briefed the meeting on the merits and services of the seeing-eye dogs, their training and service in China, and discussed ways to proceed with the job.

A demonstration by two dogs from the S- E- D training center in the city of Dalian aroused the attendants' interest.