Request a guide dog
Application process
The application process consists of a written request with sections dedicated to references about personality and medical information. A person authorized by the school will validate the information given by the visualy impaired person.
Who can be a user of a guide dog?
Following the philosophy of the school, no one is denied a guide dog, but each applicant must comply with the protocol established by the school and its directive, all applicants who complete the application can become guide dog users and access to this mobility assistant
In the first instance, it is important that those who request it have the ability to move autonomously with a white cane and a good level of orientation. Delivering a guide dog to a blind person will always be a motivator towards the independence and autonomy of the user next to a wider and more stable social life.
In addition, it is necessary that he possesses a sufficient psycho-physical aptitude to handle a dog to take care of him and to be responsible for his care. Finally, you need to have a stable economic situation that allows you to take care of the expenses derived from the possession of the dog, its food, toys, cleaning implements and veterinary care.
What does it mean to be a user of a guide dog?
Being a guide dog user means for the blind person to gain speed, security and independence in their movements inside and outside the home. The mobility improvement with respect to moving using a cane is very large and that is the main advantage of becoming a user. To achieve this goal, it is necessary to be aware that:
- The guide dog is a living being and, therefore, requires food, veterinary care, brushing, exits to evacuate, play, and much love and attention.
- The guide dog is not a taxi. The user must mark the route to be taken and the dog will save the obstacles, mark curbs and stairs, but it does not prevent the user from orienting himself and knowing the appropriate route through the techniques learned for cane mobility.
- It is necessary to learn to manage and create a bond, even if you have already had another guide dog, it is considered that each dog is different. The internship is fundamental and applying the management and obedience techniques learned by the can, is the best guarantee for the success of a lasting team. Dog – master.
- The guide dog is not infallible, nor should be transferred functions and tasks that are the responsibility of the user. It is a way of mobility of maximum confidence, but requires the user to perform his role in the unit for the dog to function properly. That is, for everything to work properly, in this «binomial», everyone must fulfill their functions, in other words, teamwork.
