Education - Guide Dog Development Program

Any person who is blind or vision impaired can be considered for a Guide Dog to assist them with their mobility needs and to enhance their independence.

Every client request is assessed by an internationally qualified Guide Dog Instructor. The assessment process ensures that both the client and a guide dog will achieve the most successful mobility outcomes for independence.

Every client application is treated individually to determine suitability. When assessed as suitable a client will be matched as soon as possible to a fully trained guide dog - this is when they become a 'team'.

The client and guide dog are trained either in a residential or domiciliary setting. The first initial weeks are the opportunity for the client and guide dog to build a relationship and begin the journey of sharing their lives together - just like any other relationship in life.

Both training programs are conducted generally over a four week period. The team will learn how to travel safely together across a range of community environments, including public transport and through busy city streets.

In the first year together, the team will receive regular follow up visits after the first, third, sixth and twelfth month. This is to enhance the team's performance, and reinforce all training aspects to ensure optimum safety.

After the first year, the team is assessed annually throughout the dog's life; with the average working life of a guide dog is 10 years.