Revolutionizing Dog Guide Training with Technology
“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,” says Greg Grabowski, president and CEO of Leader Dogs for the Blind. “By including a talking navigational device in training, we are revolutionizing the art of dog guide training.”
The “we” Grabowski is referring to is Leader Dog and HumanWare, makers of the GPS Trekker Breeze, an audible device that gives step-by step directions for a programmed route and notifies the user of upcoming streets and landmarks. Together they are launching a completely unprecedented, state-of-the-art approach to dog guide training that fully integrates a talking GPS navigational tool into dog guide classes for people who are blind. “We are pleased to partner with Leader Dog in this initiative that will bring GPS technology benefits to an even wider portion of the visually impaired population,” says Gilles Pepin, CEO of HumanWare. “This program is a new chapter of this success story.”
In August 2008, Craig Hall returned to Leader Dog to train with his third Leader Dog “Theo.” He agreed to test the dog guide/GPS training concept. “I found that I was much less worried about getting lost and could pay more attention to what I was learning. The last time I came to the school I spent a lot of time trying to memorize roads and really focusing on how I would get to places. Using the Breeze in class made me a lot more relaxed and I really enjoyed the experience,” reports Hall.
The first entire class to be trained in the use of the device during dog guide training at Leader Dog will arrive on November 15, 2008. After the students complete the 24-day program, 14 of the American students will return home with the Trekker Breeze (several students in the class are from Guatemala and Mexico). 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 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,” says Grabowski.