Fluffy coats shining under the sunlight, steady paws tapping gently against the pavement, a calm gaze fixed ahead – these guide dogs walk through the city with one paramount mission: to guide and protect their visually impaired owners.

With a guide dog by their side, people with visual impairments move through life with greater confidence and independence. They can navigate busy streets, join social activities, and embrace work and daily routines with renewed ease. Each step they take together is an act of mutual trust.

International Guide Dog Day is observed annually on the last Wednesday of April. Falling on April 29 this year, it reaffirms that small acts of awareness can make a meaningful difference.

Remember the "Four Don'ts": do not pet, do not feed, do not call out, and do not reject. To respect a guide dog is to respect the person guided by it, and to offer not just space, but dignity, care and a more inclusive world.