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A Perfect Match for Valentines Day
Lucy and Guide Dog Dottie are the perfect match!
Valentine‘s Day is all about perfect matches, and the same could be said for the Guide Dog matching process.
Finding the perfect match between a Guide Dog and its Handler requires a great deal of consideration and care. Our Guide Dog Mobility Instructors (GDMIs) have to take into account a plethora of factors, such as the Client‘s lifestyle and preferences, the dog‘s skills and personality, and their ability to work together.
Our GDMIs begin by completing an assessment form to get a good understanding of the Client’s needs and lifestyle. This includes places they travel, work life, children, pets and how busy their workplace is, as well as their level of functional vision, orientation skills, physical build and how fast they walk. The Client is also given the opportunity to express their preferences, such as colour, sex and size. Some of our Clients with low vision or blindness may prefer a yellow dog, so they can better see the expression on their dog’s face.
Next, our GDMIs work with our dog trainers on a dog profile, which covers factors such as the dog’s sex, colour, size, walking speed, attention span, ability to follow directions and exposure to children and other animals. These profiles are then compared to get a good picture of both the Handler and the Guide Dog.
Guide Dog Solo is the best companion for Tony!
The perfect match between a Handler and a Guide Dog is not just about the skills and abilities of the Dog. It’s also about their personality – for example, how independent, adventurous, cuddly, serious, or affectionate they are. It’s about forming a special bond of companionship between the pair, so the GDMIs make sure to match the Handler with the Dog that is perfect for them.
The Guide Dog matching process can sometimes be a lengthy one, with wait times varying depending on the type of dog and the individual’s needs. But it’s worth it – the perfect match can be life-changing. So this Valentine’s Day, let’s take a moment to appreciate the beautiful bond between a Guide Dog and its Handler, and recognise the hard work that goes into making sure they have the perfect match.
Annette and Guide Dog Leo make the perfect pair!
