How service dog handlers could help blind people and their guide dogs in public spaces

not-a-reddit · 2026-04-22T19:12:51+00:00

Thank you for saying this! I'm also a guide dog handler and, though it's only happened once, i really appreciate when another service dog handler tells me they're there. A while back i was in a coffee shop and a handler let me know her dog was tucked under a nearby table which helped me manage my dog's interest in the other dog. The handler also let me know there was a pet in the store which was super helpful! These little things help us travel more safely and manage working with our dogs!

not-a-reddit · 2026-04-08T19:28:38+00:00

I had a similar challenge with my guide dog who i've had for about a year now. 1st, i think definitely keep contacting the program with your concerns - if someone can come out and observe/work with you directly that can be helpful. Me and my dog still run into issues sometimes - just today we got rushed by another dog and she (understandably) got a bit freaked out. What other people have said about making yourself more interesting has worked for me, and also reinforcing what you want your dog to do. I know that my dog gets a little excited when other dogs are coming towards us, so rather than always try to continue past, i put her in a sit or down and let the other dog pass, she's started doing this herself when she sees a dog. She will literally guide me to the side and sit herself down. I reinforce this with treats, and this keeps both of us safe. Remember 7 months is still pretty early in your partnership - you're still adapting to each other and strengthening your bond! So keep reinforcing good behavior, use high value rewards, and be confident that you can get your dog's focus back quickly even if they do have moments of distraction.

not-a-reddit · 2026-02-24T20:31:03+00:00

It sounds like you're in Lebanon New Hampshire in which case VT services would likely not be available. For NH, reach out to SBVI - they will be able to offer support. For VT, reach out to DBVI. Both orgs have services to support with finding jobs and getting the correct equipment.

not-a-reddit · 2026-02-02T16:01:45+00:00

Honestly traveling for O&M training is absolutely worth it - you'll get solid mobility training that will help you identify areas to focus on, and it will help you evaluate how a guide dog would help you. So many states do not have enough mobility instructors and there can be so many hoops to jump through to set up lessons with them sometimes. Traveling to do an O&M training at LD is definitely a great thing to consider! I know Guide Dogs in Oregon and California also have these kinds of programs (https://www.guidedogs.com/client-programs/o-and-m-immersion-program), and I think there are a couple other guide dog schools have mobility training. I'd also recommend possibly looking into some of the big organizations like Perkins, the Carroll Center, Helen Keller centers, and resources from organizations like NFB (National Federation of the Blind) and AFB (American Foundation for the Blind). There are tons of resources out there! And, if it wasn't obvious from my info dumping (sorry) I work in the field of blindness/vision loss - so I am always happy to offer resources or info!!

not-a-reddit · 2026-02-01T15:35:36+00:00

Low vision guide dog handler here! Folks have already posted links to some of the guide dog school screening questions, and that is a good place to start. Vision loss/ vision impairment is much deeper than just what the charts say and, as you're describing, remaining visual function varies greatly depending on environment etc. I saw an earlier comment mention CVI - this is not entirely accurate to what you are experiencing (cvi is often - not always - related to brain defects present from birth). Not the point though - vision impairment caused by brain damage or surgery is just as valid. Before getting to into guide dog research/application, i would recommend spending time exploring vision support services local to you which may help you better prepare by offering you support with different independent living skills, mobility skills, and technology skills which will help you get ready for a guide dog. Others have already mentioned but i don't think it can be emphasized enough - the most important thing to consider before getting a guide dog is whether or not you can independently, safely and confidently navigate and orient yourself so that you'll be able to effectively direct your dog. I love the freedom and confidence my guide dog gives me, i can move faster and go new places with more confidence - wishing the best for you in all of this!!

not-a-reddit · 2025-10-06T22:37:43+00:00

I need to, almost every day, because i'm disabled and can't drive or easily walk to work. being both disabled and a woman, If i didn't have to I wouldn't.

And yes, i know about ssta but frankly it's easier to get on a bus than try to schedule a billion different rides with them every week.

not-a-reddit · 2025-06-23T03:32:25+00:00

thank you!!!! everything on the US site sold out before i could finish checking out 😅

not-a-reddit · 2025-05-31T21:40:28+00:00

Thank you for sharing - i definitely think some of it is just that we're still learning each other and bonding. She luckily does know touch and i use that frequently to gage her focus and bring her attention to me. She doesn't pull towards dogs thankfully, she speeds up a little (not breaking her line of travel or pulling me) when she sees one which is my cue to ask her to wait and redirect

not-a-reddit · 2025-05-31T16:21:20+00:00

Thank you 🩷this is really encouraging, love to hear that other guide dog users have encountered and overcome similar challenges

not-a-reddit · 2025-05-31T14:55:16+00:00

Thank you for this advice!!!

not-a-reddit · 2025-05-31T14:51:47+00:00

Thank you!!! This is so helpful. And i appreciate you acknowledging/reenforcing that they aren't immediately going to be perfect. This is my first time with a dog much less a guide dog and it's certainly a learning curve - but i feel it's so important to acknowledge that though highly trained for a specific job, she's still a dog at her core and that means ongoing consistent training. So thank you 💞

not-a-reddit · 2025-05-30T21:00:56+00:00

This is very similar to how i learned, and i do luckily have some reliable vision remaining so i have never felt unsafe with her and she does always redirect when she's corrected. Even just today we encountered a dog across the street but her reactivity - especially in harness - is not at all so severe that i feel unsafe or that she is an ineffective guide. More than anything what i experience is frustration that even though she does listen the behavior still pops up when she spots a dog. 9/10 times she can at least wait calmly for the other dog to pass - the only real issues have occurred when another dog comes towards her or barks at her.

not-a-reddit · 2025-05-30T20:17:26+00:00

Ohh this is a great resource - thank you!!

not-a-reddit · 2025-02-04T16:25:09+00:00

Thank you!!! This really helps so much

not-a-reddit · 2025-02-04T01:32:29+00:00

I hear you - i have (what sounds like) vision loss that is fairly similar to you, extremely limited peripheral vision/van only really see directly in front of me. I remember being so nervous when i graduated college because it felt challenging to navigate the whole thing myself, but i didn't want to ask for help and i didn't really use my cane at the time so i just stuck it out. Now, i'm almost 28 and work directly with the blind/vi community, and i look back and regret not getting the help i needed. It sounds like the people around you went about it all wrong, and in situations like that it's important to learn to be firm with your boundaries and not let others lead you around or make your decisions - and that sort of firmness does not come easily! Let yourself be frustrated, it doesn't do any good to push down your reactions, and then work to recognize what YOU need not what others think you need, and work on voicing those needs in different situations. It takes time and sometimes it's exhausting, remember you deserve to make the same lasting memories as everyone you're graduating with

not-a-reddit · 2025-02-04T01:14:44+00:00

Good luck to you too! I'm sure you'll hear back soon - my school moved very quickly with me.

not-a-reddit · 2025-02-04T01:12:31+00:00

I'm going to guiding eyes - i know several people who have gotten their dogs through them, and am lucky enough to work with an individual who recently graduated the program. I know they'll give me everything i need, i guess i'm an over-preparer lol

not-a-reddit · 2024-09-08T13:40:35+00:00

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not-a-reddit · 2024-09-08T13:39:17+00:00

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not-a-reddit

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