Newsroom
Lawmakers in Cyprus are moving to establish the legal right of people with disabilities to be accompanied by assistance dogs, confronting a major hurdle: the country currently has no certified assistance dogs and little government support.
The Parliamentary Human Rights Committee emphasized the need for a legal framework to ensure independence, safety, and dignity for disabled citizens. Chairwoman Eirini Charalambidou noted the complexity of the issue, citing the need for trained dogs, certified trainers, and support for owners.
Cost remains a prohibitive barrier. Ecologists Movement MP Charalambos Theopemptou said acquiring an assistance dog can exceed 10,000 euros, sometimes reaching 20,000 or more, underscoring the necessity of state intervention.
DIKO MP Christos Senekkis stressed that assistance dogs are essential for mobility, accessibility, and social participation, and highlighted a legal gap that prevents universal access to public and private spaces. Lawmakers plan to draft legislation with the Cyprus Confederation of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities and the Cyprus Blind Organization to formalize rights and provide state support.
