Dogs Worldwide

Guide dogs are assistance dogs trained to lead blind or visually impaired people around obstacles. They are commonly, but incorrectly called “Seeing Eye” dogs. The 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 directing, based upon skills acquired through previous mobility training. The handler might be likened to an aircraft’s navigator, who must know how to get from one place to another, and the dog is the pilot, who gets them there safely.

In several countries, guide dogs, along with most service and hearing dogs, are exempt from regulations against the presence of animals in places such as restaurants and public transportation.

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, visually impaired 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 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 may differ slightly.

In Canada, guide dogs are allowed anywhere that the general public is allowed.

This entry was posted on Sunday, January 4th, 2009 at 15:48 and is filed under Resources. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.