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Lighthouse: Dog Guides, Orientation and Mobility
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| As We See It! Dog Guides, Orientation and Mobility. By Lynda Jones | 
| | Sally stood on the corner of Park and Capital Circle, waiting for the light to change. As the traffic surged forward on her left, she said, “Forward Juno,” and together Sally and her Seeing Eye dog crossed Park and continued along Capital Circle toward the Lighthouse.
Blind people all over the U.S. travel every day using a dog to guide them. There are twelve schools located around the country certified to train dogs to guide people with vision loss. However, only the dogs from one school can be called Seeing Eye dogs. Seeing Eye is a trademark of the first dog guide school in the U.S. located in Morristown, NJ. Other schools include Guiding Eyes, Leader Dog, Fidelco, and Southeastern located here in Florida. | | Dog guides are trained to safely guide their owners and are working when you see them out in the community. They are trained to go around obstacles in their path, stop at curbs and stairs, get their owners across streets safely, follow directional commands, locate doors, and disobey their owners when a situation is not safe. They are not trained to find Starbucks on their own, read traffic lights or count blocks.
Dog guides are working when they have on their harnesses. Unnecessary distractions from the public negatively affect their work and could cause harm to their masters. Distractions include patting them on the head; calling their names; looking them in the eyes; speaking to them or making funny noises. At times, some dog guide owners will allow people to pet their dogs. | 
| | However, ALWAYS ask first and don't be offended if an owner says no. There is a natural tendency to ask the dog's name. If the owner does not tell you her dog's name, it's probably because she wants him to listen only to her voice. The best way to admire these incredible, beautiful creatures is from a distance. The term “Mobility Training” may have little meaning to some, but to those who are blind Mobility Training is often the first step in achieving independence. For some this may include traveling with a guide dog or traveling with the newest technological system such as a global positioning unit (GPU). This handheld device works much the same as a GPS used in many cars. Once the destination has been programmed into the unit the GPU will give the blind person directions to his destination. It is frequently used in tandem with other mobility techniques.
A very different approach is seen in the movie “Ray.” Here Ray Charles found his way by trailing along familiar landmarks and/or counting his steps. To the majority of people with impaired vision, however, Mobility Training means learning to move safely within ones environment using a long cane, a dog guide, and/or a human guide. | As the name implies, a human guide is another person (usually someone sighted) who helps the blind person get around in crowded or unfamiliar environments, i.e. restaurants, shopping malls, or dangerous street crossings. The technique is fairly simple: The blind person holds the guide's arm just above the elbow and walks about a half step behind the guide, following the guide's movements as he or she walks through doorways, up and down curbs, around tables in a restaurant, and so on. |  | | An untrained guide, eager to assist, often wraps an arm around the blind person's waist, clamps an iron grip on his arm--rendering him completely immobile, I might add--pushing and steering his captive to somewhere... At this point, it's up to the blind person to stop the action and show the guide the appropriate, safe way to offer assistance. Here's a helpful tip to all eager guides that always works! Don't assume. First ask if assistance is needed or wanted. More often than not, someone traveling with a long cane or a dog guide will not need assistance. He or she has been trained to travel successfully even in unfamiliar environments. So inquire before intervening. As for those beautiful dogs…ignore them completely! They are working and unnecessary distractions from the public negatively affect their work and could cause harm to their masters. | 
Lynda Jones
Public Awareness Specialist
Lighthouse of the Big Bend | The Lighthouse wants residents of the Big Bend who may be dealing with vision impairment to know that there is life after vision loss--exciting, meaningful, independent life--just a phone call away! For more information contact the Lighthouse of the Big Bend (850) 942-3658 or check-out the website www.lighthousebigbend.org. |
Tags: Lighthouse Dog Guides Orientation And Mobility
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