By Tamra Monahan PHOTOS COURTESY OF GUIDE DOGS FOR THE BLIND
Chris Foster and O'Connor are an unstoppable team. They hop on and off buses, ride subway trains, zip through airports to catch planes, and wade through oceans of pedestrians, cars, and crosswalks as they maneuver through some of the country's largest cities. The subway system in Washington D.C.? No match for this pair. Chicago's O'Hare Airport? Piece of cake. The congested streets of New York City? Not a problem.
For most people, busy streets and crowded airports can be a challenge; but imagine what it's like for Chris, who has been blind since birth. With the assistance of O'Connor, however, Chris can move through any metropolitan area with ease and speed. As a trained guide dog, this Labrador Retriever's job is to help Chris get from one place to another quickly and efficiently, which is exactly what he does.
These two don't saunter anywhere.
When Chris gives the forward command, they take off like race walkers speeding toward the finish line, even if they're on a bridge over a major highway and the finish line is a steep staircase. Without a hint of trepidation, Chris and O'Connor charge across the bridge getting closer and closer to the edge. Just when it seems they might topple down the stairs, the trusty Black Lab slows down, signaling to his handler to do the same.
At the top of the precipitous staircase, man and dog finally halt with the toes of Chris's boots peeking over the edge. He grasps the railing, gives the forward command, and they're off, nearly running down the stairs as if he can see every step. When they reach the bottom, O'Connor stops, allowing Chris to get his bearings and decide which way to go.
Together, they demonstrate perfectly how a guide dog and his handler work as one unit, each providing an integral part of the traveling team. Yet Chris was not always sold on the idea of using a guide dog. Cautiously, he began to wonder what it would be like if he took his expert skills with a cane and added a dog, understanding that this would not dramatically transform his life, but might enhance it.
"I did not believe for a moment that getting a dog would magically change my life," Chris says. "I needed to be convinced, and it worked out extremely well because of my skills and the training and the dogs I've had."
A guide dog begins life as a carefree puppy, but at the tender age of eight weeks, the frisky pup is paired with a volunteer who, over the course of a year and a half, takes the dog from impetuous puppy to good canine citizen. This socialization process teaches the dog how to be calm and obedient in all types of environments"”noisy shopping malls, crowded sidewalks, quiet classrooms, distracting pet stores.
Once the young dogs prove themselves in these situations, they are sent to school. Guide Dogs for the Blind, a non-profit organization established in 1942, has two of the best training facilities in the United States. At their campuses in San Rafael, California and Boring, Oregon, trainers put their canine students through five months of intensive education.
According to Beth Hamilton, GDB's Graduate Services Specialist, training involves teaching the dogs what to do and what not to do. Guide dogs are taught to travel in a straight line, avoiding obstacles and stopping at elevation changes such as curbs, stairs, escalators, and wheelchair ramps. But they are also taught what to avoid: approaching other dogs or people, chasing animals, or food offered by anyone except the handler. To become a guide dog, these canines must be able to turn off their desire to be a playful pup and concentrate on doing their job. "If the dog is much more interested in chasing a cat down the street and he can't turn that off in himself, then he won't make it through the program," says Beth.
Creating a synchronized team that can handle almost any situation is also a primary goal at Guide Dogs for the Blind. To accomplish this, trainers match the dog's personality with that of the blind handler and his environment. If a dog is quiet and doesn't like energetic cities, then he will be paired with someone in a more rural setting. On the other hand, a dog that loves the urban hustle and bustle may be bored in the country. The same applies to personality: A lively dog is teamed with someone who is more commanding, while a calmer animal works better with a quieter human companion.
The trick is finding the right dog for the right person in the right environment. When all three elements come together, the result is an amazing traveling team.
For more information on Guide Dogs for the Blind:
California Campus Guide Dogs for the Blind 350 Los Ranchitos Rd San Rafael, CA 94903 (415) 499-4000
Oregon Campus Guide Dogs for the Blind 32901 S.E. Kelso Rd Boring, OR 97009 (503) 668-2100
