Traveling with Paddy
5 July 2022
When most people travel, it relatively easy to organise plane tickets, accomodation, pack suitcases and go.... To get ready for this trip, the word complicated doesn't even come close - it has definitely been an eye opener.
Travelling with a disability ( and all the needed medical documentation) and an assistance dog definitely makes things interesting. I have been working closely with MPI New Zealand, USA and Canada in order to get all of the documentation, vaccines, blood tests, vet checks, accreditation certificates ( that Paddy is classified and certified as an International Assistance dog for medical purposes- Not an emotional support animal) Export and Import authorisation, quarantine when we return and a lot more. Oh and I can't forget- his own boarding pass and passport as he will be with me in the cabin vs the cargo hold.
Today we spend the majority of the day talking with MPI Vets and export and import officials from MPI. At 5:30pm we received the necessary documentation, and went immediately across town to an MPI registered vet, so that Paddy could have tests for Rabies antibodies ( checking to see if the vaccine worked) and a general health check to make sure he was fit for travel. That all seems simple enough.. but wait there's more.
This one blood tests has to be sent to Upper Hutt, which will then be sent to Australia for testing and the medical courier to Australia leaves first thing tomorrow morning. Major time constraint! luckily the vet, who lives in Upper Hutt, will take Paddy's bloods to the depot first thing in the morning so it can make it on the transport to Australia tomorrow. The kicker- this one test alone will cost around $1600 nzd and this doesn't include the other vet checks, vaccines, and medication needed for his travel.
This is where donations like yours has helped so much.
Aside from the vet issues, and MPI regulation paper work- which there is a lot!; A few other things have cropped up that I didn't know I had to do but have now done:
I need a specific travel insurance policy that covers, all the normal things, but most importantly covers racing in a formal cycling event. Cycling NZ helped direct me to an insurance company that offers that policy. Which is then needed to apply for an international UCI racing license. Another thing which has now been completed.
This has been such a learning process for me- its been complicated, extremely stressful and hard work. To be honest, there have been times that I have felt like giving up, But with every task completed, it moves us one step forward to our goal. I will not give up.
