The loss of a great man.

A light, a shining star in the world of assistance dog advocacy has gone out. It was with great sadness that we learned of the untimely and sudden passing of Michael Osborn, a guide dog partner and leading player in the world of advocacy, earlier this month.

Michael was key to the breakthrough in legislation that led to assistance dogs being allowed to travel in the airline cabin from North America to the UK; something which we, as a partnership have benefited directly from.

When I won the IAADP scholarship in January 2006, Michael arranged my flights and that's how I got to know him and gained the courage to travel to California and back with just my assistance dog Caesar as my companion.

At the IAADP conference in San Diego, I was asked to deliver the keynote speech, and to my horror and embarrassment, named Michael as Michael Hastings (the name of his guide dog) instead of Michael Osborn, I need not have worried, I was told afterwards Michael was highly amused and flattered by my faux pas!

It was with great trepidation that I accepted co-option onto the IAADP Board at that conference to fill the space left by Michaels' resignation follwoing his taking up other committments.

Hastings loved the pheasant Caesar had brought him from the UK!

A message from Ed Eames the President of IAADP:

To honor the memory of Michael Osborn, whose advocacy effortsmade it possible for assistance dog partners to travel to theUnited Kingdom accompanied by their guide, hearing and service dogs in the airplane cabin, the International Association of Assistance Dog Partners (IAADP) will be dedicating its 2008 conference in his name. Michael, a former IAADP Board member, anticipated with relish attending the conference on June 25 at the Renaissance Hotel at Heathrow Airport, London. Those of us travelling from North America to the UK are deeply indebted toMichael for all of his efforts on his and our behalf. His tenacity and persuasiveness paved the way for all of us desiring to travel internationally with our canine assistants. The conference luncheon will provide an opportunity to celebrate his life and achievements. For conference details, check http://www.iaadp.org/.