Attending a Guide Dogs client day: My experience

If you’re a long-time reader, the title of this blog post may have jogged your memory that I’m on the waiting list for a guide dog.

If you’re new around here, I’ve been on the list for around two and a half years now.

Back in April, I was contacted about attending a client day which was happening at the start of May. A client day would give me the opportunity to learn about the matching process, gain a better understanding about what it’s like having a guide dog, and meet some of the staff who are involved both within my application and matching me with the right dog.

They gave me plenty of notice and let me know what the day would involve. I couldn’t wait for Wednesday 6 May.

I thought I’d share the experience here in the hopes that it might be helpful for any other blind and visually impaired people attending a Guide Dogs client day in the future. Let’s get into it!

 

There were four blind and visually impaired people (including myself) who attended the day at our local Guide Dogs office. We were split into two groups and did various sessions throughout the day, regrouping at the start, for lunch and again for a debrief at the end of the day.

We started with introductions, before it was time for the first activity. This is where we split into our groups.

 

The opportunity to walk with a guide dog

During the application process, I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to walk with a guide dog for one of my assessments. Given that was two and a half years ago, it felt like a distant memory. I was excited to have the chance to do it again.

We drove to a nearby housing estate where we had the chance to walk with a guide dog in harness.

We started with a short handle walk, where I had hold of one part of the harness and a member of staff the other, without the dog attached.

This was to familiarise me with some of the commands and using the harness. I was taught the command to go forward, a left turn, and what to do when we approached a curb to allow us to cross the road safely. I was also shown the correct way of giving the dog a treat when they’re working.

A few minutes later, and I was introduced to Peter, one of the guide dogs we’d be working with on the day.

Peter had quite a quick pace, although it wasn’t too fast for me. A Guide Dog Mobility Specialist (GDMS) was next to me throughout the walk, also holding a lead attached to the harness. This meant we couldn’t go on our own adventure. Jokes aside, it meant they could intervene if needed.

It was a completely unfamiliar area for me. I can now see why they do this, to help you put your trust in the guide dog.

The walk wasn’t too long, although long enough so that we were given the chance to stop at curbs, cross roads, take left turns, and avoid a few obstacles along the way. It also gave me a chance to work on verbal commands. I was encouraged to praise Peter throughout the walk (they love their praise), and reward him with a treat when he’d successfully done a task like finding a curb.

I then had the chance to work with Fergie, a slightly taller dog with a slower pace. This gave the chance for the Guide Dogs staff to assess my walking speed with the two dogs, and it was a good opportunity for me to walk with two different dogs as well.

On the walk with Fergie, I built on the commands I’d picked up on throughout the previous walk, and learned how to do a right turn this time.

It was interesting to walk with Fergie, who comfortably plodded along. We met a few distractions along the way, yet he remained focused on his job.

Once we’d completed our walks, I gave him a good fuss and lots of praise for doing so well.

Walking with a guide dog felt incredibly freeing. Although I didn’t know the area, navigating and crossing roads felt like a breeze. I can’t describe how good it felt walking along with a guide dog by my side. Although it’s very different to using a cane which is what I’m used to, everything felt right.

Learning more about the training

In the afternoon, my group were given a taster of what’s involved in training.

The first session was all about behaviour. It’s about positive reinforcement, and the dogs love it!

First we started with doing the commands and actions with a stuffed toy. It might sound strange, but this is to get you used to it, before an excited dog comes and snaffles the treats.

We first started with using a clicker or a verbal command when the guide dog has done the correct behaviour.

We then moved on  to the ‘touch’ command to get a guide dog to come and touch your closed fist with their nose. This can be helpful so you know where the dog is when you want it to come directly to you.

I also learned about the ‘yep’ command which signals to the guide dog it’s done the correct behaviour.

Finally, we covered getting a guide dog to rest their chin on a towel placed on your knee or on a chair. This can be used for a health check for their ears and eyes, or when grooming.

 

Speaking of grooming, the final session was on grooming and keeping the dogs well looked after. I tried out the various brushes and combs that you use to keep your guide dog looking great. Guide dog owners are ambassadors for the organisation, so this is key.

After doing the behaviour techniques and grooming with guide dog Cybi, the day ended with some playtime, to reward his good behaviour. I’m not sure which one of us enjoyed exploring the toybox most.

 

It was such a great day. It was fantastic to have the chance to take part in the various activities and learn more about the training, and Guide dogs as an organisation.

I also enjoyed meeting other guide dog applicants. There was a mix of experiences: some of us had never had guide dogs, whilst others were waiting for their next life changer.

The staff were all so welcoming. Everyone was very lovely. You could tell how passionate they are about what they do.

I can’t tell you how excited I am for the day I’m matched with a guide dog. I can already tell how much independence it’ll give me. I haven’t stopped thinking about those walks since!

I have no doubt it’ll be worth the wait when the right dog comes along.

 

If you’re blind or visually impaired, have you done a client day? I’d love to hear about it.

Holly x