Dogs that successfully complete the intensive training program, are identified as a possible match with someone who needs a Guide Dog (Beneficiary).
Our trainer, the Guide Dog Mobility Instructors (GDMI) review and consider the traits of the dog against aspects of the user’s life including:
- Orientation & Mobility – How confident is the user and how good is their orientation and spacial awareness.
- Lifestyle– is the user fit & active or less active or able to walk?
- Walking speed– a partnership will struggle if a dog walks fast and the user is a slow walker – or vice versa
- Location– do they live in a rural area or busy city? Some dogs are more sensitive to traffic or noise and may be better suited for a quieter location
- Travel– how much daily travel is required?
- Occupation– is the user employed, studying or unemployed?
- Parenting/caring– what responsibilities does the user have?
- Social activities– does a user like to go out frequently or prefer to stay home?
After the matching process is completed and finalized, the new Guide Dog and user ‘partnership’ training is tailored to the specific needs of the user. They will spend around 1 week in Bucharest learning the basics and forming a bond with their new dog. Following this, they will move to the beneficiary’s home to continue the training.
Over the course of 2 – 3 weeks, the GDMI will teach the dog and user how to negotiate routes or
journeys that are regularly taken (eg. to the shops, bus or train station). This allows them to become familiar with the journey and be comfortable working together as a partnership.
A formal assessment is undertaken at the end of the course, to determine if a partnership is able to graduate. Once the partnership has graduated, the GDMI will maintain a relationship with he user and visit periodically, to check everything is going smoothly and there are no issues or problems. This happens for the remainder of the dog’s working life.
How Long Does A Guide Dog Work For?
This varies, depending on the individual dog. Typically, a dog will work for 8 – 10 years before retiring. Upon retirement, they get to hang up their harness and enjoy relaxing. The first option for the dog will be to live as a pet with the person who looked after them as a puppy raiser. If this is not possible, contact us to go on our list of people who would like to enjoy having a retired guide dog as a pet.
