Today is the last of the series for National Guide Dog Awareness Month. Below are my personal suggestions for any guide or service dog handler to add to their 72-hour “GO” kit and your vehicle kit.
- Store your dog’s medical and emergency information in your bag AND in a cloud-storage space to access through your phone/tablet.
- Extra collar, Gentle Leader (GL) and leash.
- Bowl with at least two days worth of dog food stored in both your car and your “Go” bag. (rotate these out every six months as food can over time become stale). Water will already be a part of the human’s “Go” bag, car and “shelter-in-place” if there is a boil water advisory.
- Doggie bags to dispose waste and garbage.
- Extra supply of medications your dog is on and check expiry dates every six months.
- Recent copy of guide dog ID stored in your bags AND in cloud-storage alongside dog’s medical information.
- Booties (some locations you may be required to walk through debris—such as broken glass, hot / cold weather, etc).
- And mostly importantly, toys already scented to pack away for stress relief.
Every person’s needs will vary. Add/remove items that is individualized to your situation. There are many online resources to gather information on emergency planning and building a kit for you and your family, including your guide dog.