UATP's director talks guide dogs in Statesman article

Guide dogs lend a paw

By APRIL ASHLAND - features senior writer

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

It's said that a dog is a man's best friend, but for Lewis Burdette and Sachin Pavithran, the role of dogs went much further. Burdette and Pavithran are both visually impaired and have received assistance from seeing-eye dogs.

UATP director Sachin Pavithran
with his guide dog Barstow.

Pavithran is the assistive technology specialist for the Center for Persons with Disabilities, and said he retired his dog Barstow in June, after having him for nine and a half years.

 

Pavithran said he talked to many other visually impaired and blind people before deciding to get his dog. He said he met a girl who had a seeing-eye dog and thought having one might be a way to gain more independence.

 

"When I was in school, it was fine because I had people around me, but when I started working, I had to travel and get around on my own," Pavithran said.

 

Read the rest on The Utah Statesman.