Guide dog
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Image:Modoken.jpg Image:Modoken2.jpg Guide dogs are assistance dogs trained to lead blind or visually impaired people around obstacles. They are commonly but incorrectly called "Seeing Eye" dogs, since Seeing Eye is the name of only one of many guide dog training schools.
Although the dogs can be trained to navigate various obstacles, they are partially (red-green) color blind and are not capable of interpreting street signs. The human half of the guide dog team does the leading, based upon skills acquired through previous mobility training.
In several countries, guide dogs, along with most assistance dogs, are exempt from regulations against the presence of animals in places such as restaurants and public transportation.
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History
The first guide dog training schools were established in Germany during the First World War, to enhance the mobility of returning veterans who were blinded in combat. The United States followed suit in 1929 with the Seeing Eye in Morristown, New Jersey. This school was followed, two years later, by the British Guide Dog Association.
Breeds
Early on, trainers recognized which breeds produced dogs with the most appropriate temperaments for this work, so that, now, Golden Retrievers, Labradors and sometimes German Shepherd Dogs, are more likely than dogs of other breeds to be chosen, although by no means does this indicate that only these three are appropriate (for example, Boxers are also used but as they have a long adolescence they are less common.) Another popular breed is a Golden Retriever/Labrador cross because both breeds (which are in fact closely related) are known for their intelligence, responsiveness to obedience, and early maturation. There is also a recent trend of breeding a Labrador with a Poodle, to create a new hypoallergenic breed called a Labradoodle that is supposedly more suitable for those who suffer allergies. Less common breeds also trained as guide dogs include Collies, Vizslas, and Dobermanns.
Guide dog training
Potential guide dogs come from various sources. Some organizations breed and raise their own puppies, while some rely on "foster families" to raise the puppies until they are ready for formal training. Also, some dogs are rescued from shelters, although any dog heading for a career as a guide dog must be sound and desensitized to most public situations.
When dogs become old enough to start training, most guide dog "schools" will conduct a test to analyze the dog's potential for guide dog work. If the dog passes this test, they continue on to harness training, where they learn to help a person move around safely, including such achievements as navigating curbs and avoiding overhead obstacles. The dogs may be taught additional skills, such as retrieving items for their handler.
At the end of approximately two to three months of individual training, blind students that have applied and are accepted begin to work with their own guide dog under the instruction of the school or an individual instructor. When the newly-created team has finished their training, they are certified and released on their own. Depending on the organization, follow-up training to ensure the dog is still doing his or her job may or may not be required.
Guide dog accessibility
Guide dogs are usually allowed in stores, on public transportation, and other public places, which might seem to go against rules that strictly prohibit the presence of dogs. Guide dogs are usually allowed in any place that is open to the public. Regulations and policies vary worldwide:
- In the United States, the Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits any business, government agency, or other organization that provides access to the general public from barring guide dogs, however, religious organizations are not required to provide such access. Any group, including religious groups, with 15 or more employees may not deny employment to a blind person that uses a guide dog unless doing so would place an "undue burden" on the employer. The Fair Housing Act requires that landlords allow tenants to have guide dogs in residences that normally have a no pets policy and no extra pet fees may be charged for such tenants. Individual state governments decide whether guide dogs in training are allowed to enter into public places.
- In South American countries and Mexico, it depends solely upon the good will of the owner or manager, although often in the more touristy areas, guide dogs are welcomed.
- In Europe, the situation varies. Some countries have laws that govern the entire country and sometimes the decision is left up to the respective regions.
- In Israel, it is an insult if any transportation operator or business owner or manager refuses entry to a guide dog.
- In Australia, the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 protects guide-dog users. Each state and territory has its own laws, which my differ slightly.
- In Canada, guide dogs are allowed anywhere that the general public is allowed.
See also
Guide dog training schools
- The Seeing Eye (Morristown, New Jersey)
- The Guide Dogs of America (Sylmar, California
- Guide Dogs for the Blind (San Rafael, California)
- Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind Inc. (Smithtown, New York}
- Guiding Eyes for the Blind (Yorktown, New York)
- Pilot Dogs (Columbus, Ohio)
- Guide Dogs NSW/ACT (North Sydney NSW, Australia)
- Canine Vision (Oakville, Ontario, Canada)
- Guide Dogs for the Blind Association (Burghfield Common, Reading, UK)
- The Eye Mate (Tokyo, Japan)
- Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation (Bloomfield, Connecticut)
External links
References
{{cite web
| url = http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/animal.htm | title = Commonly Asked Questions About Service Animals in Places of Business | publisher = U.S. Department of Justice | accessdate = 2006-02-09 | year = 1996
}}de:Blindenführhund he:כלב נחייה nl:Geleidehond ja:盲導犬 no:Førerhund fi:Opaskoira zh:導盲犬