A Seeing Eye Dog typically spends nine or 10 years partnered with a person who is blind or has low vision, so it’s important to make a good match.
Creating a strong bond between the person and their Seeing Eye Dog is essential to a successful working relationship. And, like all good partnerships in life, finding the right one takes time and consideration.
The matching process
At Seeing Eyes Dogs Australia, we get to know our dogs’ personalities and abilities while training them up to become Seeing Eye Dogs. Just as importantly, we also need to get to know the person they may eventually be matched with. That’s why when a person first applies for a Seeing Eye Dog we conduct a thorough interview to learn more about them, their lifestyle and their aspirations.
Once a potential Seeing Eye Dog becomes available for matching, we take a closer look at these five key areas to get the match right.
- Pace. Some people like to walk at a leisurely pace while others prefer a brisk walk. Dogs also have their own preferred pace. We try and match people and dogs that have a similar pace and walking speed so they can travel comfortably together.
- Mobility. We also consider a person’s level of mobility and balance. If they have mobility restrictions or reduced balance the person may benefit from being partnered with one of our larger dogs which can provide some stability.
- Workload. During training we identify what type of workload each dog enjoys. A dog that has higher energy may be well suited to a person who likes to get out and about or needs to navigate a busy environment, such as a major city. A dog that has a quieter nature would make a better match with a person who lives a less strenuous lifestyle.
- Environment. We also check out where a person lives and the places they go. If a person regularly flies, a small-to-medium dog could make a better match because they’re easier to get in and out of taxis and fit in the legroom of aeroplanes. If a person has other pets in the house or lives on a farm with livestock and other farm animals, the dog needs to be able to tolerate a variety of sights, sounds, and smells.
- Preferences. People may have specific preferences related to the sex, colour, size or breed of their dog. A working person who wears black trousers to work may prefer a dark coloured dog so any hair shed is less visible. Some people prefer a lighter coloured dog as they are easier to see and create contrast within the environment.
Meet Alan and Ollie
Ollie, Alan’s first Seeing Eye Dog, came to him six years ago.
Alan’s preferences for a Seeing Eye Dog were quite simple. Since he regularly uses public transport and visits Brisbane’s CBD, he needed a dog that was comfortable in crowds. He also preferred a lighter-coloured dog because it would be easier to see against the floors in his house.
“Ollie’s been a perfect match,” Alan says.
“He gives me a lot more independence and confidence in getting out and about, even going to new places.”
The pair are a great team and have a strong bond. Alan says Ollie has literally changed his life.
To show his love for his Seeing Eye Dog, Alan now sports a tattoo of Ollie on his upper left arm.
“Vision Australia has matched me with such a wonderful dog. It’s a privilege to have a dog as good as Ollie,” he says.
If you think a Seeing Eye Dog could support you to live independently, call us on 1800 03 77 73 or find our more here.