Guide Dogs Level 2

What are They? Guide dogs are assistance dogs trained to lead blind or vision impaired people around obstacles. 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.

Where do they come from? Potential guide dogs come from various sources. Some organizations breed and raise their own puppies. Some rely on "foster families" to raise the puppies until they are ready for formal training. Some dogs are rescued from shelters.

How do they learn what to do? When dogs become old enough to start training, most guide dog schools will conduct a physical exam to analyze the dog's potential for guide dog work. Then they continue on to more advanced training. They learn to help a person move around safely, step up or down, and lower their heads. The dogs may be taught additional skills, such as retrieving items for their handler. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guide_dog

QUESTION 1 Are there things I should or should not do when I am around a guide dog? The general rule is that working guide dogs should be ignored. Distractions take their concentration away from the work they have to do—which can put the dog and its teammate in danger. Do not pet or feed a guide dog and do not encourage the dog to misbehave.

QUESTION 2 What do I do if I meet someone who is blind? Treat me as you would anyone else. I do the same things as you do, but sometimes use different techniques. Speak in a normal tone of voice. Blindness doesn't equal hearing loss. Talk directly to me, not to my companion. Loss of sight is not loss of intellect. When entering a room, identify yourself; when exiting, be sure to mention that you are leaving. Address me by name so I will know you are speaking to me. http://www.guidedogs.com/site/PageServer?pagename=resources_access_meetblind

Why are some people blind? In the United States, the leading causes are diabetes, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and accidents (such as chemical burns or sports injuries). Worldwide, the leading causes of blindness are cataracts, onchocerciasis (river blindness), trachoma, leprosy, and vitamin A deficiency. Other causes include: Blocked blood vessels Complications of premature birth Complications of eye surgery Lazy eye Optic neuritis Stroke Tay-Sachs disease Retinitis pigmentosa Retinoblastoma Lead poisoning Optic glioma http://www.righthealth.com/topic/Blindness/-mod-fadam-o-d-fdid-003040-section-Causes-s

Guess what else the dogs can do? Dogs can be trained to help: People with depression People with panic disorders People with seizures They can bring a purse with medicine, a drink so someone can take the medicine They can learn to answer the door, and get the phone They can be trained to get the neighbor, a co-worker or call 911 They can be taught to provide balance, respond to smoke alarms, deliver messages, remind a person to take their medication, and MORE! http://www.iaadp.org/psd_tasks.html

We love our dogs!