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Handing over the guide dog to his visually impaired master
Each request for a guide dog is studied in great detail in order to determine the specific needs of the blind or visually impaired person concerned. 3 criteria determine which dog best covers the needs of his future master: physical, character and environmental. 1) PHYSICAL - in search of harmony. The build of the dog has to be appropriate for his master. Their height, weight, physical strength and width of stride have to be in harmony with one another, not only for comfort but also for security reasons. Each person moves at his own particular pace and this has to be taken into consideration. Dogs, too, have an inherent gate, some move more slowly than others. 2) CHARACTER - the basis for a good relationship. Each person has a unique relationship with a dog. Trying out different dogs will show what the person's natural effect is on the each dog. Their temperament, confidence and tolerance level are taken into consideration, e.g. are they demanding or lax? This evaluation will determine what dog to give them - an easy and submissive one, or one that is more confident and difficult. A dog that is timid and submissive may be so intimidated by a demanding master that he will be unable to take an initiative. Likewise, a dominant dog will take advantage of a lax master. Imagine what would happen if the master wants to go to the bank, but the dog decides to go to the butcher? The aim is to find the best balance and the most natural relationship. 3) ENVIRONMENT Some dog like a definite routine, others like constant change. Some dogs love getting on and off buses, others only do it because they have been taught to do so. This has to be remembered when placing them. People, too, have their particular lifestyles. So someone who runs a small errand in the morning and walks in the park in the afternoon obviously doesn't want the same kind of dog as the person that runs around the city all day and goes jogging on Sundays. Life in the country is different from that in a city. Some dogs would be constantly distracted by birds and other animals in open spaces and would have difficulty working under such circumstances. Others, on the other hand, would thrive on this and find city life very stressful. Peut-on comparer la vie en pleine campagne et la vie au centre de Paris ? The family situation also has to be considered. Does the future master live alone or does he/she have a family? These criteria will, of course, only apply at a particular period in time. The presence of the dog will already bring with it a change in the person's lifestyle, so one must keep in mind that circumstances change. A certain situation at the start of the relationship may be very different 3 - 5 years later. Choosing the right dog is a big gamble and one that will last at least 10 years!
After having tried out several different ones one dog is finally chosen to accompany the blind or visually impaired person for life. Sometimes the choice is a difficult oneSeveral dogs are presented to the future master at one time. This has both advantages and disadvantages. Sometimes a dog and his future owner hit it off right away. But this is not always the case. People have definite ideas -they may want a long, silky dark coat, or the character is not what they wanted - too playful, too quiet, too serious. And then again, they may be like two peas in a pod.Exchanging these ideas and doing some practical exercises will allow the future master, the trainers and the school director to eventually make the right choice. Period of probationThis occurs prior to receiving a dog. Over a period of 4 half days the blind or visually impaired person will learn the basics about keeping a dog. No harness work is involved. The points covered are:
During these sessions the master will realize that he, too, will play an active role in this new relationship. Once the basics have been acquired and with much encouragement by the trainer, the first step to independence will be taking the dog home for a weekend. The first weekend togetherThe trainer will bring the dog to the future master's home. Here they will choose: a mat and where this will be placed, a bowl and some toys. They will also select the easiest and nearest gutter where the dog can relieve himself. After some final advice the trainer leaves...For the new master these first moments alone with his dog are both thrilling and frightening. As much as he has wanted this dog, the master does not ooze self-confidence, and the dog will, of course, take full advantage of this sign of weakness - he won't want to be patted, will not relieve himself where he should, will not lie on his mat. But already by the next day the dog will be overjoyed when he sees his master and will not leave his side. Little by little they will get to know each other, thus beginning their bonding. This is fundamental for the exercises that they will be doing together before the dog is finally handed over.
It is crucial that the dog and his master get off on the right footing. The preparation is adapted to suit each couple. Initially the teaching is intense: correcting posture, the position of the arms, synchronizing their gait, using the leash and the harness. This may seem pedantic but it will allow the master to learn the correct moves at the outset. The 3 week programme is progressive and comprehensive. For some visually impaired people it is their first experience with a guide dog. They are usually very eager but it is a new way of getting around for them and some have trouble finding their marks (pavements, walls, obstacles). They lack the necessary confidence and the dog cannot do their work for them. The first 2 weeks: during this period the work at the school covers both their emotional relationship and some technical aspects. The blind person is now completely autonomous and is able to take the dog to relieve himself, can feed, brush and play with him outdoors. The technical aspect covers the dog's psychology, his emotions and reactions. The new master has to get to know his dog very well so that they can deal with whatever obstacle they might find in their way. As many different surroundings as possible are used for these exercises, e.g. the street, public transportation, shops. Each person is expected to pass both a theoretical and a practical test.
The same thing has to happen at the work place of the blind person where the dog also has to fit in. A guide dog should never just be tolerated. In fact, the dog should be taken to as many places as possible, in the presence of the trainer, e.g. church, pool, gym, stadium, etc. All routes should be covered repeatedly, in order of importance. Trips to the veterinarian and to open spaces for games should also be included. After this the master has to pass another theoretical test. Then the team is ready to roll! After 6 weeks the trainer will make a final check after which the master signs a binding contract with the school.
POST-DELIVERY: The couple remains in close touch with the school throughout the dog's life. The school is there for them in case of need and also organizes sessions for ongoing training.
Après plusieurs années de bons et loyaux services, le chien guide mérite une «retraite» paisible. Comme pour la remise chaque cas est particulier car de nombreux facteurs interviennent. Une solution sera envisagée en accord avec le maître ou la maîtresse du chien, l'école et éventuellement la famille qui adoptera ce chien. Cette période, difficile pour l'aveugle, doit être bien préparée à l'avance.
A 8 ans tous les chiens guides passent une visite de gériatrie définie par l'école qui va permettre de gérer au mieux le vieillissement du chien. L'aveugle pourra aussi détecter lui-même des signes de fatigue chez son chien : moins d'ardeur au travail, un déplacement plus lent, hésitant....
Lorsque la mise à la «retraite» est envisagée l'école commence à préparer un autre chien afin que la période de transition soit la plus courte possible. Que va devenir ce chien, faut-il qu'il reste avec son maître pour être parfaitement heureux ? Il est évident que si son maître peut le garder il le fera. Mais il faut tenir compte du fait que ce chien a toujours eu l'habitude d'être avec lui et qu'il aura beaucoup de difficultés à rester seul pendant la journée. Bien sûr, l'aveugle pourra trouver un proche pour accueillir son chien mais si ce n'est pas possible, l'école cherchera la famille qui adoptera ce chien dans les meilleures conditions en tenant compte de son caractère et de son état de santé. Elle dispose d'une liste de familles de «retraite» qui ne demande qu'à être rallongée... si vous désirez accueillir un chien guide à la retraite dans votre famille prenez contact avec l'école. Il est important de comprendre qu'un aveugle qui prend la décision de se séparer de son chien ne le fait pas par égoïsme mais par amour afin d'offrir à son compagnon une «retraite» longue et heureuse.
La médaille... du travail. "TOI VRAIMENT, TU MERITERAIS LA MEDAILLE DU TRAVAIL !!!" Lorsque sa chienne est partie en retraite à l'age de 11 ans, elle lui a offert une médaille en bronze, gravée au nom de DORIA portant l'inscription: "JE TE REMETS CETTE MEDAILLE POUR HONORER TON DEVOUEMENT EXCEPTIONNEL" Pour partager le plaisir, elle y a joint une part de gâteau que Doria a englouti sans scrupule et sans aucune notion du refus d'appât… C'est cela la retraite !!! Depuis cette date, l'école de chiens guides de Paris propose aux maîtres qui le désirent de commander et remettre une médaille à leur chien retraité lors d'une cérémonie publique symbolique organisée tous les deux ans. Le mémorial Fidélité, Confiance, jour après jour Chaque chien Guide décédé a sa plaque. Les maîtres qui le souhaite peuvent coller sur la plaque de leur chien leur nom en braille.
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