FAQs

Who is Guide Dogs WA?

For more than 70 years Guide Dogs WA has provided life-changing Guide and Assistance Dogs for people living with low vision, disability or illness.

Guide Dogs WA is the only Western Australian based provider of Guide Dog training services in the community. Guide Dogs WA was founded in 1951 by Dr Arnold Cook and was the first Guide Dog organisation in Australia.

Guide Dogs WA is a member of the International Guide Dog Federation and Assistance Dogs International. Guide Dogs WA is owned and operated by EverAbility Group Limited.

How long does it take and how much does it cost to train a dog?

It takes over two years and costs over $50,000 to train a Guide or Assistance Dog. Guide Dogs WA relies on the support of the community to provide life-changing services to Western Australians.

How are Guide and Assistance Dogs selected?

Each dog that enters the training program is carefully assessed throughout their training and a career is chosen that best suits their skills, abilities and characteristics. This may include selection as a Guide Dog, Autism Assistance Dog or as a Facility Dog. Guide Dogs WA has a world class training program and every year many dogs go on to become working dogs.

To ensure the very best chance of puppies succeeding in training to become a Guide or Assistance Dog, there are several desirable qualities:

• Confidence (a timid or unsure dog will struggle to make decisions).
• Responsiveness (it is vital that a dog responds well to commands).
• Focused and relaxed (not worried by everyday distractions).
• Be in good health

What breeds are Guide and Assistance Dogs?

Generally purebred Labradors or Ladrador Retreiver Cross as they are calm, loyal and intelligent and have a proven record in becoming working dogs.

Where do we get our puppies from?

Guide Dogs WA currently receives puppies from breeding schools across Australia and New Zealand. Guide Dogs WA is establishing its own breeding program.

How does a Guide Dog help?

Guide Dogs help people with low or no vision to retain their independence, increase confidence and social interaction and allow for greater participation in work, study or recreational activities. Skills include helping their handler to avoid obstacles, stopping at kerbs and steps to maintain safety and assisting in locating destinations as well as traffic lights, chairs and doors. A Guide Dog is not like a satnav unit – the handler dictates the direction the dog needs to go in. The handler also makes the decision to cross the road – the dog does not.

How does an Autism Assistance Dog help?

Autism Assistance Dogs are trained to help improve the quality of life for children and their families. Tasks aim to support children with social and motor skills, safety, companionship and emotional support. Autism Assistance Dogs can help calm children as well as assist with improving sleep, easier transition to new or different environments and reduce isolation by removing many challenges associated with social interactions and outings.

How does a Facility Dog help?

Facility Dogs are highly trained dogs that undertake specific, skilled tasks in a variety of different situations within a facility environment. Facility Dogs work in offices, courts, educational settings and many other places. Each Facility Dog receives tailored training for the type of facility they will attend. Facility Dogs can reduce stress and anxiety, improve speech and memory function and improve physical and mental wellbeing.

How does a Companion Dog help?

A Companion Dog improves the quality of life for adults and children living with disability or illness by helping to overcome challenges with everyday tasks, offering friendship and company and being a comforting presence.

How to identify Guide and Assistance Dogs?

• An orange “In Training” coat indicates that the puppy is in training.
• A brown harness indicates that the dog is in formal training with a Guide Dog Mobility Instructor.
• A dog in a white harness has completed their training and is working with a Guide Dog handler.
• An Autism Assistance Dog wears an orange jacket with text on it to identify it as an Autism Assistance Dog.
• A Facility Dog wears a black jacket with on text on it to identify it as a Facility Dog.

How long does a Guide or Assistance Dog work for?

The average working life of a Guide or Assistance Dog is approximately 8-10 years. When a working dog is ready to retire they remain with the handler or a member of their family and enjoy retirement, taking it easy, just as any other pet dog would. If a handler is unable to continue to provide a home, Guide Dogs WA would rehome the dog.

What are the stages of training?

A puppy enters the training program at 8-10 weeks of age and move in with a volunteer called a Puppy Raiser. They learn basic obedience, develop social skills and get exposed to a variety of environments.

At 12-14 months of age, the puppy with enter formal training and begin to live with another volunteer called a Boarder. Each day the puppy will be dropped off to school at the Guide Dogs WA training facility.

Dogs are trained using operant conditioning and positive reinforcement techniques. This means the dogs are asked to complete specific tasks (such as sit or lay down) and given praise and reward for desired behaviours. The rewards are usually food treats, but occasionally a dog may be more motivated by a toy or praise.

Are Guide and Assistance Dogs covered by NDIS?

A Guide Dog qualifies as a mobility aid and may be covered by NDIS funding for some but not all costs. NDIS funding is not guaranteed for all individuals and applications. The NDIS does not currently cover the provision of Autism Assistance Dogs. The majority of funding to provide a Guide or Assistance Dog is due to generous community donations. The Facility Dog program is not covered by the NDIS and costs to the facility will be incurred.

Where can Guide and Assistance Dogs go?

By law, Guide and Assistance Dogs are allowed access to everywhere their handler goes – and this includes dogs in training. It is an offence to refuse entry to a person accompanied by a Guide or Assistance Dog including dogs in training; the only exceptions to this rule are operating theatres and some areas of zoos (such as the walk-through exhibits).

How can I interact with Guide and Assistance Dogs?

It is important not to pat, feed or talk to a Guide or Assistance Dog or dog in training, especially when they are in harness or coat.

How are Guide and Assistance Dogs matched?

A person may be on the waitlist for a few years until a suitable match is found. With the establishment of a Guide Dogs WA Breeding Program and Cadet Training program the wait time for a Guide or Assistance Dog will decrease. A dog is matched with a client based on a number of things such as walking speed, size of the individual, work and/or social activities.