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Orientation & Mobility ยป Guide Dogs Guide Dogs A guide dog can greatly help a blind or visually impaired person travel efficiently and safely. However, the handler does not just grab the harness and hold on passively while the dog takes him/her to a destination. The handler tells the dog which way to turn and when to cross the street.Learning orientation and mobility skills before applying for a guide dog is vital. If a person gets lost when walking with a cane they will get lost more quickly with a guide dog. Once a person can travel safely with a cane, then for some travelers, a guide dog is the next step. Remember that when you see a person traveling with a guide dog it is very important that you do not distract the dog. The dog must pay attention to its work. You may be putting the handler in danger if you distract a working dog. If you are visually impaired with mobility skills and interested in applying for a guide dog, then it is appropriate to contact one of the dog guide schools. They can provide information about the application process. Fidelco Bloomfield, Connecticut Telephone: 860-243-5200 www.fidelco.org Freedom Guide Dogs for the Blind Cassville, New York Telephone: 315-822-5132 www.freedomguidedogs.org Guide Dog Foundation Guide Dogs for the Blind Guiding Eyes for the Blind Leader Dogs Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides Pilot Dogs |