International Guide Dog Day
Hey there, it's International Guide Dog Day! Let's take a moment to appreciate the amazing work done by Guide Dogs Australia and their volunteers. These pups are more than just pets, they are hardworking individuals who help their owners navigate the world. Did you know that it takes over a year to raise a Guide Dog puppy? That's right, these pups undergo intense training before they become fully-fledged Guide Dogs.
Recently, we caught up with Jamie, a guide dog owner and DAS community member, and he shared some interesting facts about guide dogs (and their owners). Jamie's pup, Niles, helped us complete some of the fun challenges in the #GuideDogChallenge on social media too. But, before we get into that, let's talk about some of the things Jamie wants us to know about Guide Dogs.
First and foremost, don't pet guide dogs or any service dog, for that matter. Jamie shared that strangers patting Niles distracts him from his work, which could result in a disaster. So, if you see a guide dog, resist the urge to pat them, no matter how cute they are.
Another interesting fact Jamie shared was about naming guide dogs. We don't get to choose their names, as they are named well before they come to us. Niles was named after the letter "N" because he was part of the "N" litter, and there are strict rules about naming these pups.
Next, let's talk about the matching process. Some people might think it as easy as walking in and picking out a guide dog, its not. The process involves a thorough assessment of your lifestyle, suitability, and practical requirements. A psychologist then matches you with the perfect dog, which can take months.
But, what happens after you get matched with the perfect guide dog? The training begins! Jamie shared that the first day of training can be quite confusing for the dog, so you need to be patient and wait for them to orient themselves. It's amazing how these pups can be trained to do so many things, like finding seats and even crossing the road safely.
However, life as a guide dog owner isn't always easy. Jamie shared some of the challenges he faces, like people patting Niles, feeding him things he shouldn't eat, and businesses not allowing him and Niles in. It's disheartening when people ignore him and only talk to his pup, so please remember to acknowledge guide dog owners too.
Overall, Guide Dogs Australia and their volunteers deserve all the recognition and appreciation for the amazing work they do. Happy International Guide Dog Day to all the pups out there and their owners who work tirelessly to make the world a better place! If you want to check out our fun #GuideDogChallenge videos with Jamie and Niles, head over to our Facebook or Instagram pages.
Check out Part One of Jamie and Niles completing the #GuideDogChallenge
Check out our social media pages for the rest of the videos!