On this day we celebrate the important role that Guide Dogs play in supporting people all around the world with low vision or blindness to achieve their goals and live independently. First to clarify some confusing terminology: Guide Dogs are a trademark brand name from Guide Dogs Australia.  Seeing Eye Dogs Australia are training through Vision Australia, a leading national provider of blindness and low vision services. The generic term for referring to a dog who provides assistance in this way is service dog. More organisations now are training and providing service dogs for people with a range of disabilities, and as therapy animals; however, this international day refers to service dogs for people with low vision and/or blindness. 

Deb Kaita Kakiiza, one of our amazing psychologists at the UNE Student Counselling and Psychological Services (CAPS) has shared some of her insights into life with a guide dog.  

“I have been fortunate to have had a Guide Dog for almost 24 years now. My first dog, Wendy, a yellow female, was actually coincidently received by me on my birthday! Since then, I have had 4 beautiful and spirited furry friends, both male and female, 3 yellow and 1 black coated Labradors. They have enriched my life in more ways than I can say. 

From my experience, working with a Guide Dog is incredibly rewarding. They are such clever creatures who absolutely adore the challenge of guiding. The sense of achievement and pleasure they show; wriggling with excitement from head to tail once they reach their destination, is so lovely. Navigating a moving world without sight is extremely confronting at times. The sense of “we” and “it is two of us working this out” is so uplifting and calming. We are a team.  

Common misconceptions 

The dog doesn’t “drag” me to a destination. We work a route together with me giving the dog instructions and the dog learning and initiating. What is most disruptive for this team is interference with and distraction of a Guide Dog – in fact, I have had dogs retired early because other people have insisted on engaging with my dog in ways where I haven’t been able to prevent this.  

Dogs learn to seek a lot of reassurance from their handlers, just as the handler can do from their dog. When others engage with the dog, and the dog gets distracted through offers of food, eye contact, praise, or patting, both the dog and the handler can become confused, which could undermine the training and work process. It is some of my most frightening times navigating when I can sense my dog is distracted. Imagine trying to cross a road, or knowing you are approaching a significant flight of stairs down, and your guide is not paying attention.  

Please, please always double check with the handler before engaging with a Guide Dog. I can assure you; they receive plenty of praise, attention, food, and treats.  

Dogs off leash are more terrifying than many things. Not only do they distract our dogs by jumping on them, barking at them, or trying to play, they are difficult to move away from. I have experienced this difficulty regularly, with dogs of mine being bitten by off leash dogs as well. It is pretty awful to say the least. The guide dogs are in their harness and therefore restricted. We are educated not to try to defend our dogs as we can’t see what is happening, but I have to say this is extremely hard as they are so loved by us and to stand by and let your helpful paw pal be scared and harassed, and at times injured, is very distressing. 

Finally, Guide Dogs are very costly to train. I am very grateful for all the dogs I have been able to work with in my time as a guide dog handler. However, I am very aware that having a dog is not for everyone. They are hairy, slobbery, distractible, require maintenance and exercise and they can be stubborn and spirited at times too! It is hard to put your full trust in another being, particularly an animal. 

Despite this, the free-flowing movement of a team is so wonderful, being able to navigate in a free moving way and not collide with every obstacle in my path, as I do with a cane, and is very much my preferred method of mobility. They provide companionship, and they can at times be a great ice breaker too. They often give a greater sense of security when out and about, but also in the home. My first dog helped me to develop the confidence to move out of Mary White residential college at UNE and live completely independently on my own! Wild Wendy, Magnificent Meg, Mickey the Mickstar, and my current pal nicknamed Mr. Magoo will always be remembered and appreciated for how they have enhanced my life. 

Did you know   

• Guide Dogs in harness can go absolutely anywhere their handler can go – it is the law!  
• If in doubt, talk to the person using the Guide Dog, the Handler, and announce yourself to them – don’t ignore them, but ask if they need assistance.  
• Don’t distract the Guide Dog – they are highly trained, but they are still dogs, so avoid feeding or patting them, so they can focus on their skilled work.  
• Give them space – physical space is very important, so avoid touching the handler or Guide Dog and don’t let your pet dog greet them, as that may disrupt their work.  
• If guiding someone with a Guide Dog, walk on the opposite side of the dog and offer your arm for the Handler to take.  

If seating a Handler with a Guide Dog, make sure the Handler is seated comfortably with enough space for the dog to lie down. You may offer a water bowl for the Guide Dog to use.”