Guide Dogs of America Open House
Catching up on posts that I've been meaning to write (and remembering what it was like to go places that were't "essential")...
One of the great things about the diversity of Los Angeles county is that there are a lot of resources available for people with disabilities such as myself.
Last summer I went to an open house held by Guide Dogs of America in Sylmar, CA.
Lots of well trained dogs, both active and retired, all around.
I learned that only around 20% of the dogs that enter the program end up becoming guide dogs. The dogs are trained but it takes a dog being able to follow commands but also having discernment not to follow a command if it is aware of possible danger the owner isn't aware of. That type of discernment can't be trained into a dog.
I went to the open house to look into getting a guide dog. I was in the process of getting all the paperwork signed off before the current global pandemic happened. Due to the pandemic I can't get an orientation and mobility specialist to sign off on my paperwork until the pandemic is over. Assuming I get approved for the program I would be spending three weeks getting trained and staying in a student dormitory like this.
Thank you for this article and sharing with us about guide dogs. So very interesting! I agree with you, California, in general, has a lot of resources available for people with disabilities. The state is almost always first in implementing changes and provide resources to all.
Stay safe and take care, @holovision!