Guide and Therapy Dogs

What is a guide dog?

A guide dog is an irreplaceable partner for visually impaired individuals, forming an inseparable team dedicated to supporting mobility and maintaining independence. These dogs are carefully trained to guide, respond to commands, and ignore distractions, while also demonstrating the ability to refuse commands that could endanger their own safety or that of their companion. While the dog learns the routes through repetition, the visually impaired person must maintain a clear mental map of the path.

The training process for a guide dog takes about two years and includes exposure to various environments, such as stairs, public transportation, and public spaces. During training, the dogs are taught to exhibit impeccable manners, remain focused, and manage interactions in crowded places like restaurants or stores. In addition to the practical support they provide, guide dogs create a deep bond with their partners, based on trust, loyalty, and mutual affection.

Some of the skills that a guide dog learns:

Essential skills of a guide dog:

Safe guidance of the visually impaired person from point A to point B, ensuring efficient and incident-free movement.
Stopping in front of all changes in level, including curbs, stairs, or steps, to prevent falls.
Detecting and signalling obstacles at head level, such as low-hanging tree branches, thus protecting the person they are guiding.
Avoiding obstacles encountered on the path, such as street furniture, poles, cars parked on the sidewalk or holes, ensuring a safe route.
Preventing accidents and protecting the life of the visually impaired person, making quick and safe decisions in dangerous situations.

These skills, cultivated through rigorous training, transform guide dogs into reliable partners, essential for the mobility and safety of visually impaired individuals.

Social benefits of a guide dog

The presence of a guide dog significantly contributes to the development of social relationships, due to the natural connection between humans and animals. Often, interactions initiated by those who admire or inquire about the dog lead to the formation of friendships and the strengthening of community bonds. Our beneficiaries often share how much their social lives have been enriched since they received a guide dog. Introverted individuals especially report this invaluable benefit.

Furthermore, the guide dog provides visually impaired individuals with an increased sense of self-confidence and independence. The ability to navigate public spaces such as stores, schools, or gyms on their own brings the satisfaction of managing their own activities and actively participating in social life. Often, young guide dog recipients—whether current or those on the waiting list—share how important it is for them to regain their independence. For them, the ability to go out alone to the city, meet friends, or shop without relying on parents or friends is a significant step toward autonomy.

Daily activities considered natural by sighted people—such as taking out the trash—become challenges that, without a guide dog, require support from acquaintances. Thus, the guide dog not only facilitates mobility but also contributes to the development of self-confidence and the freedom to manage daily life.

What is a Therapy Dog?

A therapy dog is a dog specifically trained to provide emotional support, comfort, and joy to individuals in difficult situations. Unlike guide dogs or service dogs, which directly assist people with disabilities, therapy dogs collaborate with therapists or handlers to improve people’s well-being in various contexts.

🐶 The Role of a Therapy Dog

Therapy dogs are involved in activities aimed at improving the emotional and psychological state of individuals, and are used in:

Hospitals – to alleviate patient stress and accelerate recovery.
Nursing Homes – offering companionship and comfort to the elderly.
Schools – to support children with special needs or anxiety.
Rehabilitation Centres – helping patients improve motor and social skills.

🧠 Benefits of Animal-Assisted Therapy:

Reducing stress and anxiety through calming interaction with the dog.
Stimulating communication and socialization, especially among children or individuals with autism spectrum disorders.
Improving mood and reducing feelings of loneliness.
Increasing motivation during physical therapy through interactive activities with the dog.

Characteristics of Guide Dogs and Therapy Dogs:

They belong to a few breeds: Guide dogs and therapy dogs are typically from breeds such as Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, and, less commonly, German Shepherd.
Training starts at 3 months: Both guide dogs and therapy dogs begin their training around the age of 3 months, with a similar selection process based on their social abilities and temperament.
They love interacting with people of all ages and temperaments: These dogs are highly sociable and enjoy engaging with people, whether they are children, adults, or the elderly.
High level of discipline: They exhibit excellent behavioural control and can perform various tricks and commands, being well-prepared for various real-life situations.
Involved in a variety of activities: Guide dogs and therapy dogs participate in Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) sessions, visits to schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and other locations where their presence can enhance people’s emotional well-being.
Adapt well to groups: They perform well in group settings and maintain their composure, even when taking the lead in an activity or interaction.
Motivated by various rewards: These dogs are driven by rewards, including food, play, and physical contact, which help them improve their skills and desired behaviors.
Low aggression and resistance to frustration: Guide dogs and therapy dogs have balanced temperaments, with low aggression levels and a high tolerance for frustration, which makes them ideal for interacting with people and adapting to different environments.
Form strong bonds with people: These dogs quickly form connections with people and are open to interaction, also accepting other dogs in their vicinity.