How do guide dogs help blind people?

Guide Dogs assist blind and visually impaired people by avoiding obstacles, stopping at curbs and steps, and negotiating traffic. The harness and U-shaped handle fosters communication between the dog and the blind partner. In this partnership, the human's role is to provide directional commands, while the dog's role is to ... read more

Many blind people can't get around without the help of a well-trained guide dog. Guide dogs go through extensive training. It takes between 2 and 5 years for a guide dog to be ready to be matched with a disabled person. Training includes basic obedience and service dog training. Providing protection and companionship are other ways these dogs help blind people. read more

And service dogs perform a number of functions related to alert and response to help people with medical conditions such as asthma, epilepsy, diabetes, migraines, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and more. read more

The guide dog and service user are a partnership, with the human giving commands and encouragement and telling the dog which way to go. The dog is not a miracle worker, but for some people it can offer a unique, safe and effective way of getting about independently. read more