TravelPaws Blog

Nina walks with her arm looped through Mitaru's elbow. She holds her cane out, scanning the ground in front of her. The pair stroll through a bustling shopping street, having just passed a roped-off section.

The Travel Process: Planning a Trip to Japan with Assistance Dog Nixon

Time to read: About 12 minutes Paperwork & Patience Planning a trip to Japan with Assistance Dog Nixon (November 2024) By Nina Smith, TravelPaws Founder I wrote this blog for two key reasons. First, to provide clarity on a long,…

Guide Dog Nixon, looking curiously at the camera. He is always watching! Nixon, a golden Labrador stares intently into the camera, as he lies in harness next to his Handler, Nina Smith (TravelPaws Founder & Director). Nina is visible only by blue sneakers and the hemline of her white skirt.

Assistance Dog Nixon is Retiring

Time to read: About 3 minutes Assistance Dog Nixon is Retiring 🦮♥️ (September 2024) By Nina Smith, TravelPaws Founder After 6 years of partnership, my wonderful Guide Dog Nixon has officially begun his transition to retirement. Like many Handlers have…

Nina, wearing a pink jumper and scarf, lays on her stomach looking lovingly at Assistance Dog Nixon, a golden Labrador. Nixon returns Nina's loving gaze. Nina's hand rests on Nixon's identifying harness, which has been laid on the floor in front of the pair.

Reflections on Travel Challenges and Choices

Time to read: About 3 minutes 𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐡𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 2024 I had plans to travel to Italy in April of this year, but I chose not to go. A colorful cliffside Italian village at dusk. The image…

Assistance Dog Nixon, a golden Labrador, sits on grass wearing his identifying harness. Nixon sniffs at a cherry blossom branch that reaches down from above.

A Visit to Japan with Assistance Dog Nixon

Time to read: About 9 minutes A Visit to Japan with Assistance Dog Nixon March/April 2023 I’m certainly no stranger to visiting Japan. Having lived, worked and studied here in my younger years, I had acquired a certain degree of…

Inside a large corrugated iron shed, Guide Dog Nixon, a golden Labrador, sits looking into the camera whilst wearing his identifying harness. In the background of the image, Nina sits in a saddle atop a vaulting barrel wearing a long navy coat and riding helmet. The ground is covered with loose hay.

Living the Dream

There’s something about horses that captivates me. I’ve always been terrified of them, yet I have also found myself drawn to these magnificent beasts. They are so majestic. On the rare occasion I would interact with them, they seemed to sense my fear but were intrigued. My interest grew over time to a point where I began to ponder the possibility of riding lessons.

Two different photos side by side. Photo one shows Karen (the author) in a red top kneeling with her arm around Walter, a black Labrador Seeing Eye Dog. He is out of harness. Karen is looking at Walter, smiling with joy. Walter smiles with his head lifted high, enjoying the attention. Photo two shows Karen with Guide Dog Nixon, a golden Labrador. He wears no harness and sits leaning into Karen. She is wearing blue jeans and a blue jumper, kneeling with her arm around Nixon. They are both looking directly at the camera.

Through my eyes – Perspectives by a non-Handler

Author: Karen Cunningham Time to read: About 13 to 14 minutes Chapter 1 – Do you have to leave? Two different photos side by side. Photo one shows Karen (the author) in a red top kneeling with her arm around…