Dogs of the World (and Us) Meet in Switzerland

By Susanne Pettit-Crossman

Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that I would find myself standing in the Swiss Alps gazing over some of the most spectacular scenery I had ever laid eyes on. I wasn’t sure whether I was winded because of the high altitude or because, quite simply, the whole experience took my breath away!

Life for me seems always to have taken a lot of unpredictable twists and turns, and travelling to Switzerland to attend a Human Animal Bond conference in Geneva was no exception. It was the seventh international conference on this topic, called "Human Animal Interactions: Animals, Health and Quality of Life," held September 6 to 9, 1995. We were there to shoot footage for my ANIMALS & US television series, which aired on the LIFE Channel November 16 and 19. Here today, gone today, as they say!

Needless to say, I wanted to share some of the highlights of the conference and critique my trip as far as accessibility was concerned for any of those who might be interested in travelling there.

We flew British Airways through England en route to Switzerland. I was required to complete a fairly detailed report of my physical state and disability, which had to be authorized by my doctor. This ensured that I would have the wheelchair assistance I needed from the time we first arrived at the Toronto airport until our return.

I must commend the airlines for their incredible support in this respect. They went out of their way to assist me, and all the while with cheery and willing attitudes. No matter where we went, the chair was always there -- with the exception of our return through Heathrow, where we waited a good half hour for assistance and consequently were unable to complete any money exchanges or VAT (value added tax) rebate forms. I was also questioned here by airline personnel as to my legitimacy in needing a wheelchair, but this is nothing new for me given that I don’t appear to have a disability.

In addition, I had some difficulty getting through security because of my insulin monitoring machine. Suddenly my friends found themselves emptying out my carry on luggage and answering stupid questions, which angered me somewhat, but then again these folks have to do their job.

My oxygen requirements were another matter, however. I learned at the last moment that my airline ticket would not be honoured unless I coughed up an additional $188 upon departure to cover oxygen on the plane. This was nonrefundable whether you used the oxygen or not, and if you know anything about costs for gas, the price was exorbitant. I was told it was because they had to load oxygen tanks on the plane for me.

The worst part was that although I am limited mechanically with my lungs and am waiting for a second double lung transplant, I have been fortunate enough this time not to need oxygen on a daily basis. I couldn’t understand why the severe ruling and cost! The problem was, my doctor had indicated that in case I require oxygen supplementation at high altitudes, two litres per minute should be ordered. Oxygen is a prescription drug, by the way, and the airline took this very seriously.

I was pretty upset by this, but interestingly enough did require oxygen halfway through the flight. I started to get altitude sickness. But so much for special oxygen being loaded on the plane -- they just dropped one of the little masks from above for me! I intend to write the airline a letter. So, back to the animals...The conference itself was quite remarkable. As you entered the conference building, you were immediately taken aback at the realization that there seemed to be as many dogs greeting people as there were people greeting people -- and dogs! Noses and hands were constantly connecting, and licks were as abundant as the hugs and kisses.

Like the attendees, the dogs had travelled from all over the world and had come from many different disciplines. There were over 600 people from close to 30 countries in attendance -- a remarkable turnout, and definite proof that the Human Animal Bond Movement was alive and well, and growing.

The sessions themselves covered everything you could imagine: the health benefits of pet ownership; school programs involving animals; the multitude of practical programs for people with disabilities, including hippotherapy, emotional therapy, and the various service dog programs that are now being run around the world; medical issues; social issues; prisons and pets; and the list goes on, far too extensively to elaborate on in this space.

Topics ranged from serious to silly, but all were noteworthy. I think my favourites of the course were the demonstrations and hands on interaction with the animals in attendance. Sessions like rescue dogs, seeing eye dogs, riding for people with disabilities and our afternoon at the Circus Knie were more of my favourites. (If you tuned into the television show, you will haveseen all of this!)

The week went by quickly, with little time for extracurricular activities. We did manage to set up time, however, to get footage of both the old and the new Geneva, and, of course, our spectacular day trip up towards the Matterhorn.

From an accessibility point of view, new Geneva was quite good. All the buildings we were in seemed to be set up with ramps, elevators and accessible amenities. There were also an abundance of wheelchair taxis, and the buses were very accommodating to those with disabilities (and their dogs), although I am not as sure about wheelchair access on the buses. There was only one rather unfortunate incident that we were made aware of in which a cab driver (regular service) refused a woman and her dog a ride.

The city streets themselves were well laid out, and those wheeling their way around seemed to do so with ease. Overall, new Geneva is clean and well designed and carries an atmosphere ofproperness to it.

Old Geneva is another matter, however: steeped in history and tradition, it leaves much to be desired when it comes to accessibility. Cobblestone streets that wind narrowly through buildings with restaurants that have old staircases you climb upwards for food and downwards for washrooms do not leave a person with a disability many options for eating and sightseeing. With my poor lung capacity, I found the grade of the streets very difficult to climb and, more often than not, let my crew carry on while I waited on the sidelines. I don’t recall seeing any retrofitted buildings or other such accommodations during my visit.

I guess if you want to go to Switzerland, you would have to stay in the more modern parts, or else humble yourself to get assistance up and down stairs and be pushed through difficult streets.

As an aside: Switzerland is one of the most expensive countries in the world. A can of coke costs $5 Cdn. and a seven minute cab ride is upwards of $25 Cdn. On the plus side, as expensive as it was, the food was terrific and offered up lots of variety.

Even with the little annoying barriers the trip imposed for me, I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. And the conference itself was wonderful. As with many events such as this one, you meet so many fascinating people (and, in this case, animals). From the Buddhist monk I met and interviewed to medical scientists from Australia, this was an opportunity of a lifetime for me. The fax machine keeps whirring away with memos and messages from new and old acquaintances alike, and already people are making plans to attend the next conference, which will be held in Prague in 1998.

I must admit, I was scared to death to make this trip. I had a lot of doubts that I wouldn’t be able to manage in my weakened state, but I signed off the transplant program temporarily (with their blessing) and I did it! The best part of all was that I enjoyed every moment and came away with a whole new window in my world of travel and animals!

(Susanne Pettit-Crossman is a broadcast journalist/freelance writer and former host of CBC’s Disability Network. She is also a committed member of the Human Animal Bond Association of Canada (HABAC). Susanne has cystic fibrosis and diabetes.)

THERAPEUTIC ANIMAL ASSOCIATIONS IN CANADA

HUMAN ANIMAL BOND ASSOCIATION OF CANADA (HABAC) 453 - 1111 Finch Ave. W. Downsview, ON M3J 2E5

B.C. SOCIETY FOR HUMAN ANIMAL INTERACTION (B.C. Interact) 250 - 167 W. Second Ave., Vancouver, BC V5Y 1B8 Tel.: (604) 879-5991

CANADIAN GUIDE DOGS FOR THE BLIND P.O. Box 280 Rideau Valley Dr. N. Manotick, ON K0A 2N0 Tel.: (613) 692-7777

CANADIAN THERAPEUTIC RIDING ASSOCIATION P.O. Box 1055 Guelph, ON N1H 6J6 Tel.: (519) 767-0700

CANINE VISION CANADA P.O. Box 907 Oakville, ON L6J 3E8 Tel.: (905) 842-2891 (Also provides assistance dogs)

FRASER VALLEY LLAMA MASTERS 20977 14th Ave. Langley, BC V3A 5A9 Tel.: (604) 533-2694

HEARING EAR DOGS OF CANADA P.O. Box 907 Oakville, ON L6J 3E8 Tel.: (905) 842-2891 TTY: (905) 648-2262

LA FONDATION MIRA 1820 Rang Nord-Ouest Ste-Madeleine, QC J0H 1S0 Tel.: (514) 467-7524

THE CANADIAN INSTITUTE OF ZOOTHERAPY INC. 4507 A. C"te des Neiges Montreal, QC H2B 1E7 Tel.: (514) 340-1296

WESTERN CANADA’S HANDI & HEARING EAR DOG SOCIETY 10060 - No. 5 Rd. Richmond, BC V7A 4E5 Tel.: (604) 277-3158