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Tuesday, September 08, 2009

Guide ponies catching on in the US


A handful of blind people in the US have opted for a guide pony instead of a guide dog to help them live their lives.

One of them, Shari Bernstiel, depends on two-feet tall Tonto to help her get about.

Guide Pony Tonto

The pony, who guides his owner on shopping trips and even visits to the cinema, has a life expectancy of 40 years.

Guide Pony Tonto

Tonto cost $2,500 and took a year to train at the Guide Horse Foundation in North Carolina.

That means Bernstiel can stick to the one animal for most of her life instead of changing dogs several times. Tonto even has his own pair of trainers to give him better grip on shiny floors.

A similar scheme using Shetland ponies started in the UK last year, says the Daily Mirror.

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