Guide dogs – from birth to retirement

Abstract

Background and aims: This article tackles orientation and mobility with a guide dog, and introduces the process of guide dog training in particular. The international and Hungarian history of the field is also shortly summarized. Since the scientific literature of guide dog training in Hungarian is very limited, this article was written with the goal of increasing the number of resources.

Method: Guide dog training is introduced via related scientific literature. International history is covered primarily based on the webpage of the International Guide Dog Foundation, while the history of guide dog training in Hungary is summarized with the help of online resources of the Hungarian Federation for the Blind and Visually Impaired (MVGYOSZ) and Hungarian Therapy and Assistance Dog Federation Association (MATESZE).

Results: Our research shows that guide dog training is a dynamically developing and scientifically approved field of science, with a strong legislative support. Hungarian guide dog training is rooted in both international and national practices and is internationally acknowledged.

Conclusions: Proper legislative and professional standards may only provide proper guide dog training with teamwork. Training centres may multiply the number of trained dogs only if increasing financial support is at their disposal.

Keywords: guide dog, blindness, visual impairment, guide dog training