For someone whose blind life’s simplest activities can be challenging. Having a guide or pilot dog can make those challenges easier to negotiate.

Steve Garrabrant, a trainer and instructor for Pilot Dogs Inc. gave pilot dog demonstrations at Good Shepherd Home, in Columbus Ohio. Garrabrant brought along Barkley, a 1½-year-old standard poodle and graduate of the program, to demonstrate how pilot dogs help safely guide blind individuals on sidewalks and streets.

Participants who attended the program took turns wearing a blindfold and walking with Barkley, giving them a sense of how a pilot dog can help a blind person regain mobility and confidence when walking.

Poodles are one of the most popular breeds in the program because, according to Mr.Garrabrant, poodles don’t shed and are preferred by those who are allergic to dogs. However, in his program he trains ix other breeds, including Golden retrievers, Labrador retrievers, Boxers, Doberman pinschers, German shepherds and Vizslas.

Mr.Garrabrant explained, “Pilot Dogs’ trainers work for six months with each dog before dogs are qualified to be placed with a student. Trainers teach dogs to stop at curbs, cross streets, maneuver around obstacles, go through revolving doors, ride up and down escalators and in elevators, and walk up and down stairs.”

Students in the program then come to Pilot Dogs Inc., where they stay for a month and work with their dog before returning home; and together, the students and pilot dogs are referred to as a “unit.” The Pilot Dogs program, graduates 150 students and pilot dogs per year.

When the new students return home they are advised to take their dog and a sighted person along their regular walking routes, so the dog can become familiar with its new surroundings.

The dogs give the students something that just using a cane could never provide for them, according to Garrabrant, “The dog definitely gives that individual companionship and security.”

The pilot dogs often retire anywhere between the ages 8-12,but the students often chose to keep their beloved dogs as companions, though they also may return to program to receive a new guide dog,

Now that’s good news!

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