International Guide Dog Day

There was a wonderful opportunity in order to honor guide dogs and the amazing work these companions do for those who are blind, called International Guide Dog Day.

Guide dogs offer greater opportunities for social interaction and independence to legally blind individuals. International Guide Dog Day is dedicated to the dogs that do this impressive work.

Guide dogs help visually impaired people explore the world while providing love and comfort in many ways.

History of International Guide Dog Day

Johann Wilhelm Klein is considered as the founder of ​​a guide dog. He is also the founder of the Institute for the Education of the Blind in Vienna. In 1819, Klein wrote about the method of training guide dogs. In 1847, Jakob Birrer, a blind man from Sweden, shared about his experiences in training his own guide dog via writing.

The concept of guide dogs did not become popular until World War I. Soldiers returning home from the war were blinded by the toxic gas. Dr. Gerhard Stalling from Germany created the idea of ​​mass-training dogs to help men. In 1916, the world's first guide dog school was founded by Stalling. Eventually, many guide dog schools sprang up all over Germany.

The schools train a total of 600 dogs each year. Along with veterans, schools have provided guide dogs for blind people around the world. Due to the declining quality of dogs, schools were eventually forced to close.

In the 1920s, an American dog trainer named Dorothy Harrison Eustis helped restart the guide dog movement. Eustis helped train America's first guide dog. In 1929, she founded the School of Seeing Eyes in New Jersey. Thanks to guide dog schools in Europe, Japan, Australia and North America, guide dogs have helped transform thousands of lives.

Why International Guide Dog Day be important

• They change lives

In the United States alone, more than 140 million people are blind or have impaired vision. Properly training for guide dogs keep safe and independent by helping them navigate everyday obstacles.

• The trainer deserves credit

The training of guide dog is believed to be an expensive process with a lot of time. About two years and $25,000 are necessary to complete training for a single service dog. In addition, International Guide Dog Day allows us to offer a tip for the men and women dedicated to training them.

• Another reason to love dogs

Dogs are called "best friend".

How to celebrate International Guide Dog Day

• Learn about training

First, guide dogs recognize whether commands put their handlers in danger and learn to disobey those instructions. That is not an easy thing to teach!

• Show support

Several organizations around the world train guide dogs and pair them with humans. Like other nonprofits, they can benefit from your time and/or donations.

• Adopting a "career-changing" dog

Not all dogs that begin training for this task complete this task well. Those who don't - ask for a permanent home. Please note that there is a long waiting list for these dogs, so prepare your application early.