Assistance animals join Adelaide Zoo menagerie

Dogs and lions don’t usually mix but staff at the Adelaide Zoo believe they’ve got the right plan in place to open the gates to one animal that’s usually locked out.

Sophie Slattery, with See Differently assistance dog Ivan, and Lisa Cundy with Lana, at the launch of Adelaide Zoo’s Assistance Animal Program. Picture: Roy VanDerVegt

Labradors can now meet meerkats when they accompany visually impaired owners to Adelaide Zoo, but there are still some areas where the assistance dogs are not permitted.

Lions and other big cats, as well as the excited behaviour of certain monkeys, can cause the dogs distress.

Sophie Slattery, with See Differently assistance dog Ivan, and Lisa Cundy with Lana, at the launch of Adelaide Zoo’s Assistance Animal Program. Picture: Roy VanDerVegt

The new assistance animal zone map – which still requires the visitor to be accompanied by a sighted person – shows green zones which are safe, orange zones where caution is advised, and red zones where the dogs are not allowed.

Zoos SA’s animal behaviour and creative programs manager Nic Bishop said the map was the result of research between its vets, keepers and specialist dog trainers from See Differently, formerly the Royal Society for the Blind.

Over four testing days, assistance dogs were walked past the Zoo’s habitats to note reactions with other animals.

For the vast majority of species, the testing process found that seeing an assistance dog was a positive or neutral experience.

“It was fascinating seeing the Meerkats reaction, they were so curious and all ran over to the glass fence to check out their furry visitor,” Mr Bishop said.

Who needs a mere cat, when you can meet a meerkat? Assistance dogs are now welcomed through the gates of Adelaide Zoo. Picture: Supplied

See Differently executive director Damian Papps said assistance dogs were permitted in all other public places – including taxis and Ubers – except for certain high-risk areas of hospitals, such as burns units.

Some National Parks may also require advance notice to avoid dangers posed to dogs by baiting and spraying for pests.

“We spent 18 months working with the Zoo to really map out the place for the most suitable dog-friendly environment,” Mr Papps said.

“As you might expect, with the lions and tigers there’s probably a bit of tension.”

The assistance animal program will initially allow See Differently accredited dogs to visit between 10.30am and 3pm.

See Differently is also working with Zoos SA to devise a plan for Monarto Safari Park.