Essex blind campaigner criticises removal from guide dog waiting list

Jill Allen-King, an 85-year-old Essex disability campaigner, says she was removed from the Guide Dogs waiting list after the charity said she no longer met its walking requirement; the charity said the rule is for animal welfare and that it is working to reduce a roughly 1,000-person waiting list.

Jill Allen-King, an 85-year-old campaigner from Westcliff-on-Sea, has been told she is no longer on the Guide Dogs waiting list. She said she was taken off the list in November after almost three years because she did not meet the charity's walking ability requirement. Allen-King, who helped introduce textured pavements and received an OBE for services to disabled people, has been without a guide dog since her previous dog retired in June 2023. She says the change has left her largely housebound and concerned about losing independence. Key details: - The charity's stated requirement asks applicants to be able to walk about one mile (around 40 minutes) a day, with limited allowance for a single walking aid or an electric wheelchair. - Allen-King says she was removed from the waiting list after nearly three years and that she has had no opportunity to bond with a new dog or build fitness to meet the rule. - Guide Dogs said it applies certain criteria for animal welfare, that decisions are not taken lightly, and that it is working to reduce a waiting list of roughly 1,000 people; it said average waits are about 16 months and have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. - Alex Pepper, head of accessibility at Guide Dogs, expressed empathy and said the charity is trying to increase the number of successful partnerships. Summary: Allen-King reports she was removed from the Guide Dogs waiting list and says this has left her largely housebound and fearing a loss of independence. Undetermined at this time.