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Thursday Thoughts: Amazing Guide Dog

 At my guide dog meeting on Tuesday, we talked about a video that Guide Dogs for the Blind posted on their facebook page earlier that day.

I know this requires you to view the video on another page, but I'd encourage you to click on the link, view the video, then come back here for the rest of the post.

SAN RAFAEL: Guide dog and handler dodge death during field test

Wasn't that amazing?  I am so thankful that no one was harmed, and I'm so sad for the driver.  I imagine she was pretty shook up.  I'm also amazed all over again at the intelligence and selective disobedience that guide dogs display.

Did you notice that the dog was first to notice that something was amiss?  I imagine that if the sighted trainer hadn't grabbed the arm of the blindfolded trainer, the dog would have led her quickly to safety.  Guide dogs are trained to disobey a command if necessary.  For instance, if they are told to go forward, yet there is a car careening on the sidewalk behind them (for example), they know to dash to a side street to get out of the way.  

Of course, it is impossible to train for all potential situations, but guide dogs have the skills necessary to handle practically any situation.  A guide dog even led a man safely out of the Twin Towers on Sept. 11, 2001.  

I am happy to be a puppy raiser for Guide Dogs for the Blind.  For more information about the organization, go to www.guidedogs.com. 

Thanks for smart dogs.

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Comments

  1. NancyJune 13, 2013 at 7:59 AM

    Truly an amazing video. Glad to hear that no one was injured.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Stevie HannaJune 13, 2013 at 11:19 AM

    I think it's so great that you train guide dogs. I have friends that train dogs for special needs children and I see all the hard work and dedication they put into it. I imagine it's very rewarding.

    ReplyDelete
  3. ChristineJune 13, 2013 at 11:28 AM

    Completely remarkable. I'm always in awe of guide dogs and their trainers. The fact that an animal can be trained to do such things is unbelievable in some ways, yet completely natural in others.

    ReplyDelete
  4. DebbieJune 13, 2013 at 5:07 PM

    I literally JUST watched this video!!! A friend sent to it me and I thought of you instantly. They are amazing animals.

    ReplyDelete
  5. UnknownJune 14, 2013 at 6:15 PM

    That is a great video and I think what you do is wonderful!! But I also have to add that I think it brings up another good point, older drivers, and I don't know what that age is, should have to take a driving test to insure they are capable of driving safely. Just my opinion but you hear of these things happening to often and to often people are hurt as a result of it. These people sure could have been.

    ReplyDelete

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