For Immediate Release
Contact: Beverly Moody
Office: (248) 659-5019
Cell: (248) 917-6035
bmoody@leaderdog.org
Revolutionizing Dog Guide Training with Technology
Craig Hall and his Leader Dog, Theo, travel around town using a talking GPS navigational unit, the Trekker Breeze. Theo happily guides Craig safely around obstacles and the Breeze offers turn by turn directions on how to get to their destination.
ROCHESTER HILLS, MI, November 10, 2008 – Leader Dogs for the Blind is the first dog guide school in the United States to permanently integrate a talking GPS navigational tool into dog guide classes for people who are blind and visually impaired. HumanWare, makers of the GPS Trekker Breeze, has partnered with Leader Dogs for the Blind to launch this completely unprecedented, state-of-the-art approach to training in time for a class of 24 dog guide students in November 2008.
“By including a talking navigational device in training, Leader Dogs for the Blind is revolutionizing the art of dog guide training,” said Greg Grabowski, president and CEO of Leader Dogs for the Blind.
“One of the overriding themes we hear from our students is the anxiety and apprehension of travel in a new environment. For many, the first time using a dog guide combined with travel in a new city creates a situation that makes learning difficult and stressful. We believe we can really enhance the way we provide services by placing a GPS device in every student’s hand while in our training program,” continued Grabowski.
Leader Dogs for the Blind has partnered with HumanWare to determine the very best strategy for integrating the GPS technology into the dog guide curriculum. The students will be trained in the use of the device during their 24-day stay at Leader Dogs for the Blind. The Trekker Breeze is an audible device that will give step-by step directions for a programmed route and notify the user of upcoming streets and landmarks, among other functions.
“In August, I returned to Leader Dogs for the Blind to receive my third Leader Dog, ‘Theo’. I was given the Trekker Breeze to use during my training on how to work with Theo. I found that I was much less worried about getting lost and could pay more attention to what I was learning. I remember the last time I came to the school I spent a lot of my time trying to memorize roads and really focusing on how I will get to places. Using the Breeze in class made me a lot more relaxed and I really enjoyed my experience,” said Craig Hall, of Flint, Michigan.
After the students complete the 24-day training at Leader Dogs for the Blind, 14 of the American students will return home with the Trekker Breeze. These students have been selected to participate in an ongoing study to determine the long-term usability and assess the functionality of the GPS device in their home environment.
"We are pleased to partner with Leader Dogs for the Blind in this initiative that will bring GPS technology benefits to an even wider portion of the visually impaired population. Combining the renowned expertise of Leader Dogs for the Blind and the Trekker Breeze will significantly enhance the travelling experience of the students. This program is a new chapter of this success story,” said Gilles Pepin, CEO of HumanWare.
People from all over the world come to Leader Dogs for the Blind to enhance their ease of travel and independence. Leader Dogs have been placed, completely free of charge, in every state except Hawaii and more than 30 countries. The 24 students in the upcoming November class are from: Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Virginia, West Virginia, Nevada, Illinois, Brazil, Guatemala and Mexico.
Leader Dogs for the Blind is known throughout the world for its forward thinking and innovation in the dog guide field. In fact, Leader Dogs for the Blind is the only dog guide
school in North America to hold a dedicated program to train dog guides for people who
are deaf and blind. Leader Dogs for the Blind is also the only dog guide school to offer an entire continuum of learning for people who are blind and visually impaired, including: classes on learning to travel safely with a white cane, classes on how to use a GPS talking navigational tool, and classes on using a computer with a screen reader.
“We are sure our newest initiative will dramatically enhance the ease and pleasure of travel for people who are blind and visually impaired. Once we are able to secure funding, we plan to offer every student who comes to our school to receive a Leader Dog a free GPS unit to complete their mobility package,” said Grabowski.
If you are interested in learning more about classes offered at Leader Dogs for the Blind or if you would like to donate, call (888) 777-5332 or visit www.leaderdog.org.
Editor’s Note: Students in this class are from:
- Michigan: Detroit, Sterling Heights, Flint, Bancroft, Lennon
- Indiana: Lafayette, Granger
- Virginia: Fredericksburg
- Nevada: Las Vegas
- W. Virginia: Lewisburg
- Illinois: Peoria
- Maryland: Owings
- Brazil, Guatemala, Mexico