Guide Dogs and People Who Have Low Vision

“You can see enough. Why do you need a guide dog?”
“Wow – Your vision is better than mine. Why do you have a guide dog?”

I am met with these criticisms all the time.

Hi, I’m Sarah. I’m a mid-partial, have a good chunk of useable vision, and I work with a guide dog.

Many people assume that guide dogs are only meant for people who are totally blind. Quite the contrary – Let me explain why I use a guide dog and how my dog helps me.

First and foremost, a guide dog is a mobility aid. In opposition to the white cane, I feel as though my dog makes life slightly easier even though I’m a partial. My dog can perform tasks that a cane cannot help with.

I don’t claim to be an O&M instructor or an expert. These points are just based on my own experiences. Always consult an O&M instructor before applying for a guide dog. Most guide dog schools require this before accepting an individual into the program.

Let’s break it down. I had to think about this. There are 5 key points I’d like to touch on.

1. Stairs: Although I can tell for the most part when I’m approaching stairs, I can’t always find that first step. Especially for stairs going down, my dog will stop before we descend the stairs. I tell her to “find the step” and she will stop just shy of the first drop-off. A cane can do that too, however, I feel as though there is a greater margin of error and which could result in some nasty medical bills. Since I’ve had my dog, navigating stairs in a public place such as an el station has been much easier.

2. Curbs: Sometimes when I use a cane, I miss finding the curb to cross an intersection. Pfft – That wouldn’t happen to a partial.. Uh, yes it would. Can you say danger? A cane can’t stop you from getting hit by a car if you overstep the curb, but a dog can pull you back. You can also prevent this by telling your dog to “find the curb” once you know you’re approaching an intersection. This ties into my next point.

3. Crossing Intersections: Contrary to popular beliefs, a guide dog cannot read traffic lights. However, they can and will pull you back if it’s unsafe to cross. Such was the case for me when I began working with Jim, my first dog. This moment was what made me realize that even partials can benefit from guide dogs. I was waiting to cross an intersection in Chicago. After listening for the surge, I determined it was safe to cross and told Jim “forward”. We took a few steps and he suddenly pushed me back a few feet. I felt wind in my face and looked to my right and saw the faint red glow of tail lights. I didn’t hear this car coming. However, I didn’t get hit by it because my dog was doing his job. Hybrid cars.. The bane of my existence. BUT – It was because of Jim that I am here unscathed.

4. Finding Objects/places: The “find” command is **extremely useful. Not all schools incorporate it into training, but if taught correctly, it can benefit the handler. Why? Because, I happen to be one of those partials who second guess what they see. So, the dog helps combat the urge to wander aimlessly until I find what I’m looking for. My dog can find trash cans, empty seats, and even the bathroom simply by me asking her to. This saves me a lot of time. We also work on targeting dropped items. Something I learned how to do by researching dog training.

5.  Companionship: People think that these dogs are robots. My dog may be a mobility aid, but she is also my best friend. We get lost together, meet new friends together, and overall, provide support. She lends me a listening ear and someone to talk to. Sometimes I prefer talking to her than a person! *grin*

There you have it. This is a very short list, but it covers the main points.

I think the negative stigma that is associated with partials deter many from getting a guide dog. Whatever your doubts may be, consider the pros before you let the cons outweigh the decision to apply for a guide dog. I occasionally use my cane, but prefer being with my dog. Think about it. I know this is a controversial topic, but it doesn’t hurt to discuss this further.

Till next time!