Guide dogs are highly trained service dogs that assist blind and visually impaired people by avoiding obstacles, stopping at curbs and steps, and negotiating traffic. The first guide dogs were German Shepherds trained in World War I to guide soldiers blinded by mustard gas. However, the most famous and influential guide dog organization started in the United States in the 1920s. Let’s look at the history of guide dogs and the most famous guide dogs throughout history.
The Origin of Guide Dogs
The use of service dogs for people with disabilities has a long history, dating back centuries. References to service dogs have been found in ancient Asian and European documents. In the 16th century, the friar Sir Bartholomew of Spain reportedly trained a service dog to protect and guide an elderly blind man. However, the first formal training schools for service dogs did not emerge until after World War I.
During World War I, many soldiers were blinded by mustard gas. The German government trained German Shepherds at a military dog school to guide these veterans. The dogs learned to avoid obstacles, stop at curbs, and navigate traffic. After the war, guide dogs continued to be used in Germany and other parts of Europe.
The first guide dog training school was established in Oldenburg, Germany in 1916 by Gerhard Stalling. In 1923, Dorothy Eustis, an American living in Switzerland, wrote an article about the guide dogs in Germany and wondered if they could help blind veterans in the United States. She then established a guide dog training school in Switzerland. One of her earliest trained dogs was Buddy, a female German Shepherd who assisted Morris Frank, the founder of The Seeing Eye school in Nashville, Tennessee.
The Rise of Guide Dogs in America
Inspired by Eustis, Morris Frank brought Buddy back to the US and launched the first US guide dog school, The Seeing Eye, in Nashville in 1929. The success of Buddy as a guide dog gained national attention and spurred the creation of more guide dog training programs. Guide dogs began to be used widely in the US during the 1930s and 1940s.
Some key events and organizations in the early history of US guide dogs:
- 1929 – The Seeing Eye guide dog school founded in Nashville, TN
- 1934 – The Guide Dogs of America school founded in Los Angeles
- 1942 – The first guide dogs for the blind program established in the military at the Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.
- 1946 – The Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind established in New York
- 1948 – The first guide dog teams certified in Canada
During World War II, many soldiers returned from combat with visual impairments. Guide dogs enabled them to regain mobility and independence. In the US, the German Shepherd remained the predominant breed for guide work until the 1960s and 1970s when Labrador Retrievers began to grow in popularity. Today, Labradors, Golden Retrievers, and German Shepherds are most commonly used.
Famous Guide Dogs Through History
While many guide dogs have accomplished incredible feats and transformed lives, a few stand out as the most famous and influential:
Buddy
As mentioned, Buddy was one of the first guide dogs trained in Switzerland by Dorothy Eustis. She assisted Morris Frank in founding the first US guide dog school in 1929. Buddy gained national fame by demonstrating how effective guide dogs could be, opening the door for widespread adoption.
Roselle
Roselle was a Labrador Retriever guide dog who led her owner, Michael Hingson, down over 1,400 stairs to safety during the September 11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in 2001. Despite chaos, smoke, and noise, Roselle remained focused and navigated Michael to safety. Her bravery inspired many and showed the loyalty and heroism of guide dogs.
Salty and Roselle
Salty and Roselle were both guide dogs who continued working after losing their vision. Salty, a German Shepherd, gradually lost his sight from several causes over his life but continued guide work using memory and commands from his owner. Roselle similarly adapted seamlessly when she lost her vision at age 8 but continued working for 5 more years.
Orient
Orient was the long-time guide for TED speaker Simon Wheatcroft. The Labrador Retriever helped Simon regain independence after losing his sight by age 17. Orient and Simon completed over 2,000 extreme sports adventures together including ultra marathons and climbing. Their bond inspired many about overcoming challenges.
Naturale and Molly
Naturale was paired with blind photographer Bruce Hall after Hall lost his sight. Together, they shot vivid nature photos, with Hall relying on Naturale’s guidance and description of the scene. Golden Retriever Molly assisted Steve Kellerman with photography by retrieving dropped items. Both dogs demonstrated that guide dogs enable full, active lives.
Guide Dog Training
Guide dogs go through extensive specialized training:
- Puppies are often bred specifically by guide dog organizations to ensure good temperament and health.
- After birth, puppies live with volunteer puppy raisers until 12-18 months old.
- Formal training then lasts 4-6 months with an expert trainer.
- They learn to navigate many environments and situations while ignoring distractions.
- They master commands like “forward”, “left”, “right”, “hop up”, etc.
- They are trained for on and off-leash guiding.
- Dogs must pass strict certification tests before being matched with an owner.
- After matching, owner and dog train together intensively for 2-4 weeks.
- Follow-up training occurs periodically throughout their career.
Guide dogs and owners must work cooperatively as a team. Proper handling and care of the guide dog are essential. Each dog is trained for a working life of 6-10 years before retiring.
Guide Dog Schools
There are many accredited guide dog schools and organizations worldwide that breed, raise, and train guide dogs. Some of the top schools in the US include:
School | Location |
---|---|
The Seeing Eye | New Jersey |
Guide Dogs for the Blind | California |
Guiding Eyes for the Blind | New York |
International schools include The Mira Foundation (Canada), Guide Dogs NSW/ACT (Australia), Guide Dogs Singapore, and more. Students are typically trained in Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, and crosses of these breeds. There are over 15,000 working guide dog teams worldwide.
Benefits of Guide Dogs
Guide dogs provide immense benefits to blind and visually impaired individuals including:
- Increased mobility – Enable safe travel and navigation
- Independence – Allow people to travel freely without relying on others
- Companionship – Provide loyal friendship and support
- Confidence – Boost self-assurance in new situations
- Partnership – Enhance ability to participate fully in life
- Improved quality of life – Increase opportunities for work, social activities, and overall wellbeing
Guide dogs become an extension of their handler. They expand their handler’s world, prevent isolation, and promote dignity. Handlers report that partnering with a guide dog reduces anxiety and gives them a sense of freedom.
Daily Life with Guide Dogs
Living and working with a guide dog requires commitment, adaptability, and frequent praise and rewards. Key facets of life with guide dogs include:
- Ongoing training and practice – Working as a team in both familiar and novel environments
- Bonding and play – Developing a strong relationship through affection and fun
- Feeding and diet – Following nutritional guidelines and monitoring weight
- Grooming and healthcare – Daily grooming and regular veterinary visits
- Dog handling laws – Understanding rights and responsibilities in public places
- Retirement – Typically retiring at 8-10 years old to become a pet
Guide dog handlers must be attuned to their dog’s needs and signals. The dog’s harness should only be worn when working. Dogs are active working partners, not household pets, and must be given downtime. Guide dogs thrive on praise and require patience and compassion.
Public Interaction with Guide Dogs
It’s important that the public interacts properly with guide dogs and their handlers. Helpful tips include:
- Not petting or feeding the dog without the handler’s permission – This distracts them from working
- Not deliberately startling or distracting the dog
- Asking the handler first before giving commands or guiding the team
- Giving right of way to the team in crowded areas
- Speaking to the handler, not the dog
- Being respectful of dog relief areas
The handler is responsible for the dog’s behavior in public. Businesses and accommodations must allow guide dog access. With proper manners, guide dogs are social yet focused on their job.
Guide Dog Controversies
There are some controversies and drawbacks regarding guide dogs including:
- Cost – Guide dogs have high upfront and ongoing costs, though most schools provide dogs for free or at low cost
- Accessibility – Challenges bringing dogs to certain public or private spaces
- Allergies – Issues for those allergic/fearful of dogs
- Fraud – Use of fake service dogs
- Injury risk – Potential for injury to dog or owner during work
- Dogs retire – Sadness when dogs retire
However, most handicapped rights laws affirm that guide dogs must receive access to public spaces. Allergies and fears may be accommodated by making reasonable adjustments. With training and care, injuries are minimized. While saying goodbye to retired dogs can be difficult, a new guide dog partnership provides renewed independence and joy.
The Future of Guide Dogs
Guide dog technology continues to advance with innovations such as:
- Improved harness designs for clear communication
- Enhanced breeding and training programs using science-based insights
- GPS guidance and other tools to augment dog abilities
- Increased roles, now guiding people with other disabilities
- Partnering with autonomous technology like self-driving cars
However, high-touch, in-person training remains essential for successful guide dogs. The loyal partnership between handler and dog endures as a profoundly personal experience that technology cannot replicate. Guide dogs will continue empowering and transforming lives through their intelligence, devotion, and companionship.
Conclusion
Guide dogs have an inspiring history and remain vitally important today. While many exceptional guide dogs have aided the blind over the decades, German Shepherd Buddy and Labrador Roselle stand out for catalyzing the widespread adoption of guide dogs in America and demonstrating their valor. Rigorously trained by expert schools, guide dogs provide the blind with new freedom and joy. These devoted, hardworking dogs—led by compassionate handlers—open up worlds that once seemed lost.