Guide Dogs

Dogs were first trained to assist war-blinded soldiers in
Germany after World War I. These efforts were noticed by an
American lady living in Switzerland, Mrs Harrison Eustis, and
she created the world's first organisation for guide dogs for
the blind, called "L'Oeil Qui Voit". Similar organisations were
started soon afterwards in the UK and the US.
Guide dogs are trained not just to assist their blind owners
physically, but to help restore or boost self-esteem by
enabling disabled people to help themselves.
Guide Dogs are professionals: they are bred, raising and
trained to perform their role. Guide Dog training is also
undertaken by professional instructors, who undergo a lengthy
training procedure themselves in order to learn the necessary
techniques to train the dogs and, of course, the future owners
of the dogs.
More Reading
Training a
"Seeing-Eye" Dog for the Blind Dogs that
provide mobility and independence for a blind person come in a
variety of shapes and sizes. These dogs provide more than
simply eyes for those who are blind. They become their
companion, protector, and guide.
Interesting Websites
Guide Dogs
Organisation - details of this UK
organisation and how you can help, including recycling
schemes for mobile phones, printer ink cartridges and
stamps.
Blue Peter's Bark in the Park in
support of Guide Dogs -
get involved in this fun fund-raising event for UK kids. Fun
website for kids, too.
Guide Dogs for the Blind,
Inc
The Puppy
Place - information for those
interested in becoming Puppy Raisers
International Guide Dog
Federation - find information and
links to over 70 guide dog organisations worldwide
Guide Dogs of
America - informative site
Guide Dog coloring
page (not great quality)
Super Guide Dog coloring page
booklet - with information about guide
dogs for children. There is also a word search puzzle for
kids to enjoy.
Canadian Guide Dogs for the
Blind - information about
volunteering, a stamps programme to raise money
and puppy walking. There is a kids section too.
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Dogs
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