(Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande) – Nicole Vital, a new Law student at Don Bosco Catholic University (UCDB) in Campo Grande, has an indispensable companion for her university journey: her faithful guide dog, Olinda, a two-year-old Labrador. Olinda is the first guide dog to attend UCDB, supporting Nicole throughout her Law studies. Nicole was born with reduced vision due to optic nerve atrophy and lost her sight completely ten years ago.
“A guide dog is essential for my mobility; it allows me to move with greater agility. It is classified as a working tool, but it is also crucial for my socialization,” Nicole explains. Olinda’s presence at the university was not a coincidence. Just as students must pass an entrance exam, the Labrador underwent extensive training. Nicole was selected through a free program organized by the Catarinense Federal Institute, which pairs visually impaired individuals with trained guide dogs.
Legislation guarantees visually impaired individuals the right to enter and remain in any public-access environment with their guide dog. At UCDB, the Psychopedagogical Support Center assists students with special needs, providing educational support and inclusive strategies in the classroom. Nicole’s classmates have welcomed Olinda’s presence and adapted well. “It’s a very positive experience because Olinda is calm and does not disrupt classes. She lies next to Nicole and helps her. It is an important form of inclusion,” comments student Laura Pedro.