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Meet the adorable, hardworking guide dogs of Perkins

Perkins employees describe the unique bond that exists between themselves and their guide dogs.

An estimated 10,000 guide dogs currently work in the United States, helping people who are blind or visually impaired navigate independently. Photo Credit: Anna Miller.

Empowering. Liberating. Teamwork. Trust.

Those are just a few of the words Perkins School for the Blind employees have used to describe their relationships with their guide dogs.

An estimated 10,000 guide dogs currently work in the United States, helping people who are blind or visually impaired navigate independently. They also provide emotional support, companionship and a way to connect with others, owners say.

In honor of International Guide Dogs Day, we asked five guide dog owners who work at Perkins to share a few facts about their four-legged partners, and what having a guide dog means to them.


Intrigue

Three photos of guide dog Intrigue

Owner: Brian Switzer, Access Technology Instructor

Quirky habits: Intrigue loves to sleep on her back and only barks in her sleep. If you hear her barking, she is having a good dream.

Your relationship in five words or less: Loving, playful, adventurous, exciting, affectionate.

How your guide dog changed your life: Intrigue gives me a lot more confidence when traveling and running together. We have been through a lot of changes over the last four years. She guided me on my first date with my now wife. We have climbed to the top of the Leaning Tower of Pisa together, started a new job, and moved to a new house. She is my best friend.

What other people should know: Guide dogs love their job. It is an important job, but to them, it is all a fun game. They love finding stair cases, door knobs, exploring new places, and, of course, spending the day with their handlers.


Idabelle

Kim Charlson and her Guide Dog, Idabelle, a German Shepard

Owner: Kim Charlson, Executive Director of the Perkins Library

Quirky habits: Idabelle loves her large collection of plush, squeaky toys. When she is at home and really relaxed and happy, she lays on her back on the floor with a toy in her mouth, with all four feet up in the air. She is also vocally expressive, she doesn’t bark, but she groans, she groans to express tiredness, adjusting her position, or boredom – she’s even been known to groan at jus that certain moment in a long staff meeting, when everyone is wondering when it is going to end … Idabelle is the only one who says something!

Your relationship in five words or less: Devoted, Teamwork, Trusting, Fun-loving, and Professional

How your guide dog changed your life: Idabelle is my fifth guide dog. As with all of my guides, I have a strong sense of confidence when working with them, a belief that we can travel wherever we need to go, and as a team, we will make it together with success and grace. Even if we get lost, I know, if I stay calm, we will get out of it and get back on course.

The worst thing a dog handler can do is “lose it” while out and about, because that sense of confusion and stress transmits itself directly to the dog, who then becomes anxious. Maintaining confidence that together as a team you will get back on track is essential for successful travel with a guide dog. Its all about teamwork, trust, and partnership – working together is how we make it happen!

What other people should know: The bond between a guide dog and their handler is incredibly strong. If you have had a favorite pet, then multiply that by about 200%. There isn’t anything Idabelle won’t do for me! Her satisfaction and joy is in pleasing me because when I am happy with her work, she gets lots of praise and love. Praise and love is what guide dogs work for – it isn’t about treats (although those are nice) – it’s the love and praise that truly gives a guide dog a sense of accomplishment and purpose.

They work to do a good job because they can, and they know we as their handler really like it when they do a good job. Recognizing their work with verbal praise and physical rewards like hugs and pats are the real currency in a guide dog’s life. Never believe that a guide dog must have a very difficult life – they get to go with their handler every day, everywhere they go, all the time. What could be better in a dog’s world than being with their person all the time – it doesn’t get much better than that!


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