Kea Kids came along to our Guide Dog Mobility Centre to find out – and reporter Rua got a behind-the-scenes look at how our puppies learn the skills they need to support a person who is blind, deafblind, or has low vision.
From navigating busy streets to travelling on public transport, there’s a lot more to guide dog training than sitting and staying.
Our puppies start learning from an early age, building the skills, confidence and focus they need for their future role. Their training takes place in a wide range of environments, so they can learn how to respond to different sounds, surfaces, people and situations.
They also learn how to work with their handler as a team. A guide dog needs to respond to direction while also helping their handler navigate safely and make informed choices about where they are going.
The journey takes time, patience and plenty of practice. It also involves a whole team of people, from puppy development through to specialist guide dog training and matching each dog with the right person.
Every guide dog team is different, and the goal is to support a person to travel with greater choice and confidence in the places that matter to them.
A big thank you to the Kea Kids team for spending time with our people and puppies, and for helping more people understand the journey behind every guide dog team. 🐾
Watch the full video to meet some of the next generation of Aotearoa’s guide dogs.
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