Guide Dogs
What is a Guide Dog?
A Guide Dog provides freedom, independence, hope and opportunity to Western Australians living with low or no vision. A Guide Dog is a life-changing and rewarding partnership.
Every dog matched provides personalised support to have the greatest impact on a Western Australian’s life, enabling them to live the life they want.
A Guide Dog is required to complete two levels of training – puppy program and formal training before being ready to be matched with a Western Australian.
Who is eligible for a Guide Dog?
You can apply for a Guide Dog if you are:
- 16 years of age or older.
- Legally blind with a medical diagnosis.
- A resident of Western Australia.
What is the Guide Dog assessment process?
Upon completion of the application form, a member of our team will contact you. They will discuss your needs and get a better understanding of:
- The type and degree of your vision impairment.
- Your lifestyle and regular commitments (such as work, study, social activities).
- Your general health and activity levels.
- Your ability to provide for the needs of a highly trained Guide Dog.
- Commitment to undertake an intensive training course.
Following the initial discussion, you will be asked to complete:
- Medical Form – to give us an understanding of your general health and wellbeing.
- Medical History – in some instances, we may need additional information from your doctor.
- Family & Home Assessment – to ensure a safe, healthy and happy environment for your Guide Dog.
- Experience Walk – where practical, we will offer an experience walk at Victoria Park with a Guide Dog to give you an idea of what is involved and how it feels to be guided by a dog.
If you are accepted, you will be added to our waiting list. Please be aware that not all individuals who are assessed for a Guide Dog will be deemed suitable. Our team will provide alternative recommendations when required.
How long does it take to get a Guide Dog?
The waiting time can be 6 -12 months. It is very important to find the right match for the person to ensure a long and successful partnership.
How is a Guide Dog matched?
Guide Dog Mobility Instructors (GDMI) have expert knowledge of the Guide Dogs in training and will consider your needs and requirements. Some of the considerations in the matching process are:
- Lifestyle – do you have a busy lifestyle and go many different places, or do you enjoy a quieter lifestyle with regular routes?
- Walking speed – of both the Guide Dog and the handler.
- Location – do you live in a rural area or busy city? Like people, some Guide Dogs are better suited to a quieter location and others love a busy city location.
- Travel – how much daily travel is required?
- Commitments – are you employed, studying or not working?
- Parenting/caring – what responsibilities do you have?
- Social life – do you like to go out often or prefer to stay at home?
What training is involved?
Once you have been matched to a suitable Guide Dog, we will arrange a time for you to begin approximately four weeks of intensive training with the Guide Dog and your Instructor.
The training will be tailored to your specific needs and the first 1 – 2 weeks starts at our offices in Victoria Park.
The Guide Dog Mobility Instructor will teach you how to handle and communicate with your Guide Dog and how to best work as a team. This will help you to safely negotiate different situations that you might encounter on a daily basis.
The training also includes:
- Dog obedience and understanding dog behaviours.
- Establishing routines for grooming and feeding.
- Building a bond and downtime with your Guide Dog.
A further 1 – 2 weeks will be spent learning routes in and around your home, community and work if applicable. This allows you to become familiar with the journey and be comfortable working together as a partnership. It’s definitely team work!
What happens after the training?
Around 6 – 12 months after you have graduated, we invite you and your Guide Dog plus family and friends to attend a formal Graduation Ceremony (along with other recently graduated Guide Dogs and their handlers).
At Guide Dogs WA we say it takes a village to raise, train and match a Guide Dog. The graduation ceremony celebrates your new partnership and gives thanks to the Sponsors, Puppy Raisers and Boarders who have been instrumental in the early years of your Guide Dog’s life and training.
A Guide Dog Mobility Instructor will maintain periodic contact to ensure the partnership is going smoothly. We can also help you and your Guide Dog learn new routes, correct any behaviours and provide advice to ensure a lifetime of freedom and independence.
Are Guide Dogs approved under NDIS?
A Guide Dog qualifies as a mobility aid and may be covered by the NDIS (link opens in new window). This can include maintenance support to cover ongoing costs such as food, toys, veterinary bills and pet insurance. This needs to be included in the NDIS plan, along with the costs of a Guide Dog, training and aftercare support. NDIS funding is not guaranteed for all individuals and applications.
We encourage everyone who is eligible to access the NDIS funding. This allows us to use funds received through donations and fundraising initiatives to support our training program and help people who do not qualify for NDIS funding.
Our team can advise and recommend services and support that can be accessed and built into NDIS funding plans. This should be done at an early stage, before the plan is finalised, as it is difficult to make changes once implemented.
Regardless of eligibility for NDIS funding, Guide Dogs WA will provide Guide Dog mobility services to anyone deemed eligible after the assessment process, free of charge.
How to apply for a Guide Dog?
Please complete the application form below to make an initial enquiry. If you have any further questions or need assistance with this form please contact us on (08) 9311 8202 or email info@guidedogswa.com.au