Assisting Dogs Flashcards
What is the Seeing Eye?
AKA: guide dogs, pilot dogs, …
Seeing Eye: can be considered what?
the ultimate companion animal
___ million people in the US are blind or visually impaired.
Nays of these?
- 20 million people
- loss of mobility, dep. on others, scary situation
History of Guide Dogs
- origin: 100BC Germanic King was said to have guide dog
- 1916: German Shepherd Society opened first training school. Dogs where intended to lead Germany’s blind war vets after WW1
Guide dogs are trained to distinguish red and green traffic lights
False
Guide Dogs Schools
- about 17 schools in US
- 2 schools in WI
- about 2500 new dog graduates each year
- IDGF: The International Guide Dog Federation
What does IDGF stand for?
International Guide Dog Federation
Who pays for guide dog training?
- NO government funding: all schools are non-profit
–> run from donations, bequests, grants, wills, trusts, memorial and honor donations
The actual cost to breed, raise, train, and place a guide dog is how much?
about $50,000+
T/F: Most schools charge little to nothing for their dogs
T
Seeing Eye breeds what type of dogs in their facility?
What about other breed types?
- Golden retrievers, German shepherds, and Labrador retrievers
- other breed types are less successful
Seeing Eye breeds for what type of traits?
- intelligence, temperament, natural working attitudes
Currently, schools obtain ___% of their dogs from their own breeding programs or contract breeding
95%
At ___ weeks, assisting puppies are given to families
7-8 weeks
After being given to families, how long do assisting puppies take to learn basic obedience and good manners?
the next year and a half
Between __ and __ months the assisting dogs are returned and start formal training
14 and 18 months
During the first few weeks of formal training, dogs are:
- neutered/spayed
- introduced to an unusual kennel experience
Most training schools have vets on staff who do what?
- X-rays the dogs to detect hip dysplasia
- Eye checks
- general soundness
Staff vets at training schools X-ray dogs to detect what?
hip dysplasia
Start of formal training: dogs are turned loose in groups to do what?
test socialization skills
Start of formal training: from the first day, dogs are introduced to what?
harness
Preliminary training
- introduction to distractions
- most of training done on campus and quiet residential areas
Later training
- harness training in busier areas of town (work their way up to more difficult environments and social settings)
- intro to curb checks, street crossing
- intro to “intelligent disobedience”
- preliminary blind fold and obedience test
Define intelligent disobedience
- ability of seeing eye dog can refuse owner’s command when it feels unsafe
- service dog refuse to do owner’s wish (cross street) cuz they know its unsafe
- has purpose, not random or naughty
Advanced Training
– Training on buses, trains, and subways.
– Introduction to low overhead clearances
– Advanced off leash
– Training lasts around 4 months
– Final test
Final Test!
Dog must lead instructor blindfolded
Off leash obedience
Distraction Response
Traffic training and intelligent disobedience
Can dog detect dips, doors, trees, signs, or fire
hydrants?
Training with Blind Person
- if dog passes the final test and passes all medical exams, it is matched with blind person
- the student training lasts between 28-40 days
Who is eligible for a Seeing Eye dog?
You are legally blind.
Physically and mentally healthy
Over 16 years of age.***
Physically able to walk several miles at a brisk
pace every day.
Be able to provide a safe, stable, loving, and
healthy home for your dog.
Student Training: when are the students and dog matched?
on first day
______ Training: the students and dog matched on the first day
Student Training
Student Training: do dogs stay with student at all times, even during meals, in the room, and during the day?
Yes!
_____ Training: dogs must stay with student at all times, even during meals, in the room, and during the day.
Student Training
Seeing Eye dogs serve for ___ years before retiring, then what happens?
- 8-10 years
- put up for adoption afterwards
During training, a dog may be rejected out of training for what?
Then what happens?
- reject for: temperament, inability to keep up with group, medical problems
- easily adopt out
Is It okay to pet a guide dog if its owner on the street?
No
Don’t pet Seeing Eye dogs when its ___ is on
harness
Hearing Dogs
Mostly only work in the home
Training takes 4-6 months and cost $25,000
– Only 1 out of 4 dogs completes the program
Trained sounds: fire and smoke alarms, the
telephone, oven timer, alarm clock,
doorbell/door knock, name call and baby cry
Dogs can also learn to recognize and respond
to any other repetitive sound the owner wishes
to teach
Hearing Dogs mostly only work where?
at home
Hearing Dogs : training takes __ months and cost ___
4-6 months, $25,000
Hearing Dogs: only __/4 dogs completes the program
1
Hearing Dogs: Trained sounds include what?
fire and smoke alarms, telephone, oven timer, alarm clock, doorbell/door knock, name call, baby cry
Hearing Dogs can also learn to recognize and respond to any other ___ sound the owner wishes to teach
repetitive
Seizure Alert Dogs
Alert owners several minutes before onset of a
seizure
– through vocalization or physical contact
Must be trained with their epileptic owner, so
they can pick up on the specific type of seizure
activity
Reduces owners falling and injuring
themselves when seizures occur, also gives
Seizure Alert Dogs: alert owners when before onset of a seizure?
several minutes before
Seizure Alert Dogs alert owner before onset of seizure through what?
vocalization or physical contact
Seizure Alert Dogs: must be trained with their ___ owner, so they can pick up on the specific type of seizure activity
epileptic
Seizure Alert Dogs: reduces owners’ _____ themselves when seizure occurs, also gives time to get ___
- reduces falling, injuring
- get help
Physical Service Dogs
Assist physically disabled people by:
– retrieving objects that are out of their reach
– pulling wheelchairs
– opening and closing doors
– turning light switches off and on
– barking for alert
– finding another person
– providing balance to aid in walking
– many other individual tasks as needed
Generally use Labradors and Golden
Retrievers
Physical Service Dogs: assist physically disabled people by doing what
– retrieving objects that are out of their reach
– pulling wheelchairs
– opening and closing doors
– turning light switches off and on
– barking for alert
– finding another person
– providing balance to aid in walking
– many other individual tasks as needed
Physical Service Dogs are usually of what breed?
Generally Labradors or Golden Retrievers
Psychiatric Service Animals
For people with psychiatric disabilities
May:
– Stop damaging behaviors
– Guide person home or to safety
– Notice alarms, smoke, etc.
More than just a pet
Are Therapy Animals or Emotional Support Animals considered in the same category of Eye Seeing Dogs?
no
Are Therapy Animals or Emotional Support Animals covered under ADA?
no
Name two types of assistance dogs other than seeing-eye dogs
Hearing dogs, physically assistance dogs
Guide Horse Foundation
Founded in 1999
– Because of the critical shortage of guide animals
Use miniature horses which are a similar size to guide dogs
Horses can be
house broken
Advantages of Guide Horses
Non allergenic: for those with dog allergies
Long lifespan: can work for 30-40 years
Excellent vision: can see a range of 350 degrees
People who have dog phobias/people who
really love horses
Better Acceptance?: some guide dogs have problems getting access to areas because
they are viewed as a “pet”
Potential issues with guide horses
- feed
- space and housing
- travel limitations
- fairly unproven commodity
T/F: dogs can be trained to detect smells?
T
