Guide Dogs

Every Guide Dog goes through months of careful training at our Training Centre in Cork. A Guide Dog does not know you are visually impaired but knows you are its handler or trainer. From training in Cork, you will learn how to care for and safely work a Guide Dog which must be maintained over the dog’s working life. This includes working your Guide Dog regularly and reinforcing obedience and good behaviours.

A Guide Dog enhances your mobility, increases your independence, aids in social interaction and has been found to be beneficial to an owner’s confidence, motivation, self-esteem, and overall life satisfaction. The Guide Dog becomes a companion and a close friend.

Choosing between the two is a very personal choice. Both a long cane and a Guide Dog are great mobility tools and can provide freedom and independence. In some instances, people use both. There are pros and cons to both and the decision of which to use may be influenced by your destination and needs.

You need to plan for the care of your Guide Dog. In the beginning, a Guide Dog will not be used to your lifestyle but in time he/she becomes accustomed to your daily routine. All Guide Dogs actually love routine. Careful planning is needed as you may work, go to college or even plan on going on holidays with your Guide Dog. You must carefully think about the needs of your Guide Dog e.g. where can I let the dog go to the toilet? Will the Guide Dog be okay in a busy environment?

Currently you must be at least 16 years old to get a guide dog but there is no upper age limit.

You can avail of the tax credit if paying tax. We provide a Guide Dog feeding allowance for people who need it. This will be assessed on an individual basis.