Esslingen is now officially assistance dog-friendly
Assistance dogs have long been allowed to enter public municipal facilities in Esslingen and are also exempt from dog tax. In order to break down barriers and take a further step towards inclusion, the city joined the “Assistance dog-friendly municipality” campaign on November 26, 2024.
Many people are familiar with guide dogs for the blind, but few know that people with diabetes, mental illness, allergies or epilepsy can also be dependent on assistance dogs. Assistance dogs recognize health hazards, open doors, pick up objects, fetch help and much more. These important helpers in everyday life can be recognized by their special harness, identification blanket or bandana.
“By taking part in the campaign, we want to raise awareness of the fact that there are people who rely on assistance dogs. They are very welcome here! I also encourage other institutions, restaurants and businesses in Esslingen to actively participate in the campaign,” emphasizes Social Mayor Yalcin Bayraktar.
The right of access for assistance dogs is made clearly visible by means of stickers, for example at the entrances to administrative buildings or community centres. In addition, the assistance dog-friendly municipal facilities are entered in the “DogMap”. This app is barrier-free and shows which places in the city are accessible for assistance dogs. The dog tax statutes have also been amended. The “Assistance dog-friendly municipality” campaign by the Pfotenpiloten e. V. association is supported by the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs.
The “Assistance Dogs Welcome” campaign was made possible by funding from the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS) and the Aktion Mensch.
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