Guide Dog Matching

In order for a Guide Dog to perform at its optimum level, it is important that the Guide Dog and their handler work together as a team. As with any team, if the members work together well, they can achieve things they may have only dreamed about as individuals. This is very much the case with Guide Dogs.

In order for each Guide Dog to reach its potential, we must carefully select where each dog is placed. In order for each Guide Dog Handler to maximise their independent mobility, we must ensure we provide a Guide Dog that complements their lifestyle, their aspirations and their personality.

It only takes a second to think of your own lifestyle and how much it differs from say… your grandparents, or your grandchildren, or your neighbours, or even your work colleagues. When you consider the different things you do in your life and the things that are important to you, you can readily see why a Guide Dog that is good for you, may not be so suitable for many of the people you know.

Some people walk fast and some people walk slow. Some people are tall and some are short. Some lead a leisurely, relaxed life, whilst others are on the go from dawn til dusk and beyond. The dog that is right for me may not necessarily be right for you.

Matching each person with the right Guide Dog is a complex art. We spend a lot of time getting to know our dogs and learning as much as we can about the people they work with. This way, we believe we can do our best to provide a dog that complements and supports the individual goals of each person.

Once a person has been matched with their Guide Dog, that is when the challenge really begins. Continue onto Guide Dog Client Services story to learn more about what happens when a blind or vision impaired Tasmanian receives their four legged companion.

Quick Question:

How much does it cost to train a Guide Dog?

Click here for the answer!