For many of us, being kind to people is the clear way to live our lives. Being rude or demeaning just isn’t how you treat other people – we were raised better than that! Unfortunately, not everyone shares the same values. We occasionally run into an individual in the “wild” that is, simply put, a mean person.
In one video, we see a man and his guide dog run into one of those people.
The London Tube isn’t a super accessible place, to begin with. For Amit Patel, the challenges of heading into the tube are many. Amit worked as an A&E doctor for most of his life until a hemorrhage a few years ago. After the hemorrhage, he was rendered blind and had to rely on a guide dog.
His guide dog is named Kika and the two do everything together!
I love it when work takes us to Guildford as I get to see my grandparents 💙😃 pic.twitter.com/nC6HlrhmYG
— Kika 🇬🇧 (@Kika_GuideDog) May 26, 2021
Having a guide dog isn’t just about having an animal who helps you, they are also companions that make life easier and provide emotional support! Kika , the yellow lab, traveled with him everywhere as he maneuvered through the city with her help.
Ready for my close up! Don’t call me a diva, it’s hard work looking this good 💥 pic.twitter.com/46JJMtVWV7
— Kika 🇬🇧 (@Kika_GuideDog) May 18, 2021
One day, however, Amit was at London Bridge and was heading down the escalator when something insane happened.
As Amit and Kika sat on the moving escalator heading down towards the station, another commenter approached them. The man asked if the dog could move out of the way so he could walk past faster (mind you, the escalator was already moving).
Amit explained that she needed to stay where she was as his guide dog so they could walk off the escalator properly.
“I can’t do that, I’m sorry – she’s a guide dog.”
After hearing Amit’s response, the man gets agitated.
“I know that, just let go of the handrail and I’ll pass right now.”
In something that would have literally only taken a few moments, the man expresses how angry he is at having to wait.
Unfortunately, this isn’t uncommon for Amit and Kika.
Smile for the camera 📸 #TheKikaEffect pic.twitter.com/uZQTKn88MI
— Kika 🇬🇧 (@Kika_GuideDog) May 6, 2021
In a later interview, Amit explains that people push and shove him out of the way as they move around the stations, seemingly uncaring of the distress it causes him and his dog.
Even worse, people sometimes treat Kika horribly!
Having been on light duty the past week & with dad having to slowly building up my confidence around cycles again – I can confidently say that I’m back on form 😆 #TheKikaEffect pic.twitter.com/WC7EIiJqri
— Kika 🇬🇧 (@Kika_GuideDog) April 13, 2021
Amit explained that people have previously struck Kika with umbrellas to move her out of the way or pushed her around with shopping bags. On escalators, it’s the worst.
“It really scares Kika sometimes, I can feel how upset she gets and when I get upset she senses it and she won’t go on the escalators for a few days,” – MailOnline
Using the footage they often capture on the camera that’s attached to Kika, they make videos to bring awareness.
It’s incredible how people treat another human being and his dog. Seeing things like this can remind us that we all deserve respect and to be met where we are with our needs. Kika is just doing her best and do the job she loves to do!
Check out the video below.
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