Guide Dog Opens World for Blind Traveler Despite Challenges

Milagros Costabel, who was born completely blind, has visited 16 countries in three years with her guide dog Indio. Before receiving her black Labrador, she struggled with travel using a cane and faced constant obstacles. Now, Indio provides her with freedom and security, allowing spontaneous adventures across the globe.

Despite these benefits, Costabel encounters significant challenges from public ignorance. She faces barriers including taxi refusals, supermarket denials, and strangers who distract her dog at critical moments. The journey requires extensive documentation and preparation, but she continues traveling because the independence gained outweighs the difficulties.

Costabel was born completely blind and grew up hearing that she would never travel the world. Before meeting Indio, she relied on a cane for mobility. Simple navigation in familiar places proved exhausting, and the prospect of traveling to new countries seemed impossible.

She frequently encountered obstacles from other pedestrians, particularly those distracted by their phones. The idea of navigating unfamiliar environments without a guide sounded like a "horror-movie plot" to her.

Key challenges she faced included:

• Constant physical and mental fatigue from using a cane
• Frequent collisions and obstacles with distracted pedestrians
• Limited ability to explore beyond familiar areas
• Dependence on others for assistance in new environments

Meeting Indio, a black Labrador, three years ago fundamentally changed Costabel's life. The guide dog learned her hotel room layout instantly upon arrival and could direct her to familiar locations if she became disoriented after exploring.

With Indio, Costabel gained independence she never experienced before. She no longer needs to depend on fellow travelers during city tours, as Indio can follow guides independently when asked. This security allows her to simply enjoy being in new places, listening to different languages, and trusting that her dog will keep her safe.

The freedom extends to spontaneous adventures. Costabel once took a four-hour bus ride from Prague to Vienna without planning, waking up ready to explore. She has eaten crickets in Mexico and visited museums in Germany. She emphasizes that this ability to travel freely is something she does not take for granted.

Despite the life-changing benefits, traveling with Indio brings persistent challenges from other people's ignorance. When Costabel first decided to get a guide dog, many people told her she would need to give up her dreams of traveling abroad, citing concerns about dogs struggling with environmental changes and the complexity of international documentation.

The reality has proven those warnings partially correct. She must complete extensive airline forms for each flight and prepare documentation required by most countries for service animals. However, the human element creates the most significant barriers.

Specific incidents she has faced include:

• Missing a museum tour because no taxi driver would allow Indio in the vehicle
• Being stopped from entering supermarkets
• Strangers attempting to pet Indio at dangerous moments when distraction could compromise safety
• People reacting with fear or surprise at Indio's presence

These encounters happen "practically everywhere" they go, requiring constant vigilance and patience.

Despite the obstacles, Costabel believes the experience is "worth it" and describes traveling with Indio as one of the most rewarding things she has done in her life. The negative experiences are balanced by positive encounters with strangers who offer help out of pure kindness.

She wishes that people would understand that for her, traveling with Indio is not a choice—it is a necessity that provides freedom and access to a world she never thought she would know. The guide dog serves as a gateway to experiences that would otherwise be impossible.

Costabel remains committed to continuing her travels regardless of the challenges. She believes the world is too big to wait at home for someone else to describe it to her. Her story demonstrates that while public education about service animals remains necessary, the independence and joy these animals provide make the journey worthwhile.