November 2016 Visionary

IGDF | UK

Front Cover:

Riley and Blake,The Guide Dogs SA Autism Assistance Dog program

First and foremost, membership of the IGDFenables Guide Dog Schools around the world tojoin a community dedicated to serving the visuallyimpaired. That community needs and wants toshare its knowledge and the IGDF facilitates that.

The map below outlines the contributingcountries for this edition of Visionary.

Blind Foundation Guide Dogs | New Zealand

Message fromthe Chair

Hello everyone and welcome to thelatest edition of Visionary.

2016 has been a busy and, I hope, asuccessful year for all; I would like totake one final opportunity to thankeveryone for their efforts andcontributions towards the growth anddevelopment of the Guide Dogmovement around the world.

As you know, we had a successfulSeminar in Croatia and, already, plansare underway for the next Seminar inSydney. To those that providedfeedback, thank you – we are collatingthe comments in order to feed themthrough to the planning teams for theirconsideration. We received 56responses, with many complimentaryand constructive suggestions as to howwe can continue to grow this importantevent.

Our sub Committees have also beenhard at work during 2016 – betweenthem, the AC and DC have supportedmany organisations around the worldand, as a result, 19 accreditationassessments were completed and 5 newMember organisations joined the IGDF.This has taken a great deal of time andeffort from everyone concerned and ispivotal to the ongoing growth anddevelopment of the international GuideDog movement – well done to allconcerned.

I would like to thank KNGF who verykindly hosted our recent Board meeting.During this meeting, we were fortunatein having a presentation by anorganisation specialising in developingstandards to an ISO level – somethingthat is high on the agenda for our newBoard as it becomes an issue that isgrowing around the world.

Paul Metcalf - National Manager Blind Foundation Guide Dogs, New Zealand

Following on from the new strategylaunched at the Seminar, the Board alsodiscussed the issue of Access and will belooking to progress with the proposedcommittee in the coming months.

On a final note, I am very privileged toadvise that the IGDF have received avery generous bequest from the lateMargaret Naydene Smith (Canada).Having developed an awareness of theIGDF and our standards fromcorrespondence with one of ourmembers, Ms Smith was very keen tosupport our work around the world andthe Board are now looking at how thiscan be used to the greatest benefit ofour members and, ultimately, clients.

On behalf of the Board of theInternational Guide Dog Federation, Iwould like to wish all of our Membersand colleagues, the compliments of theupcoming season and we look forwardto working with you in 2017.

Kind regards,

Paul MetcalfIGDF Chair

Contents3 Message from the Chair

Paul Metcalf

4 IGDF Assessments

4 A War Vet’s Best FriendSteven Doucette

5 A Year With an Assistance Dog Pája

6 What a CrackerHoward Jones

7 “Retired Guide Dogs have becomenew members of Taiwan’s FirstFamily”Jennifer Chen

8 The First Steps of an ApplicantOrganisation, FundappasAlberto Calcagno and Brit Lamberts

9 New life and new hope, fromAutism Assistance Dog ProgramNatalie Carey

11 Guiding Schools in differentdirectionsAnn Spader and Sophie Slattery

Hillfields, Burghfield Common, ReadingBerkshire RG7 3YG United Kingdom

www.igdf.org.uk

Registered in England Company No 2376162Registered Charity No 1062441

Issue 30 | November 16 | 3

DisclaimerWhilst the International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF) retains editorial right to all articlespresented within the Visionary, accuracy of specific detail and figures quoted are asprovided by the author and their supporting organisation.

The IGDF, whilst welcoming feedback on content, will not enter into any dialogue relatingto perceived inaccuracies in these areas.

4 | the Visionary | IGDF

A War Vet’s Best Friend

Steven DoucetteCanadian Guide Dogs for the Blind, Canada

Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind | CanadaIGDF COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE

Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind hastrained and provided guide dogs toCanadians who are blind and visuallyimpaired since 1984. In 2010, in orderto increase the percentage of dogsgraduating and make better use of dogsand resources, Canadian Guide Dogs forthe Blind introduced an AssistanceDogs Division, training and providingdogs to individuals with mobilityrelated disabilities.

William Goodwin was twenty-one yearsold when he joined the military,becoming Corporal Goodwin of the 1stBattalion, The Royal CanadianRegiment, of the Canadian ArmedForces.

William was wounded while serving inAfghanistan. Despite the challengesinvolved with his long recovery, he hasmade enormous progress and hisspirits are high. He is now paired withVantage, from the Assistance Dogs

Division of Canadian Guide Dogs for theBlind.

As for William, he says, “In my day-to-day activities, Vantage is capable ofdoing all sorts of tasks, but the biggesthelp he can give me is also the simplest– picking things up for me and justbeing around, drawing my attentionenough to help with any anxiety Imight be having. It is almostguaranteed that I will drop somethingwhen I am walking as I try to juggle mytwo canes, wallet and phone. It is toughto describe just how incredible havingVantage in my life is. He gives me a

reason to wake up every morning andkeeps me smiling throughout the day.He also forces me to get outside and bemore active.”

While there are dogs that are used toassist individuals suffering from long-term post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD), it is important to note thatVantage is used to assist with mobilityissues, as are all dogs from theAssistance Dogs Division of CanadianGuide Dogs for the Blind. While theremay be some unintentional overlap,such as Vantage providing William witha caring companion and theresponsibility of having a dog to carefor, the main intention is for Vantage toassist William with mobility and taskshe cannot perform himself.

Thanks to Vantageand Canadian GuideDogs for the Blind,life is better for thiswounded veteran

Congratulations to ournewest members tothe IGDF:l Guide Dog and Service Dog and

Hearing Dog Association of Japan,Japan

l Mathilda Guide Dogs, CzechRepublic

Congratulations to thefollowing organisationswhich passed their five-year assessment:l Blind Foundation Guide Dogs, New

Zealand

l Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind,Canada

l Czech Guide Dog School, CzechRepublic

l Guide Dogs for the BlindAssociation, UK

l Guide Dogs Victoria, Australia

l VisAbility Ltd - Guide Dogs WA,Australia

The followingorganisation hasbeen accepted as anApplicantOrganisation:l Escuela de Perros Guia Argentinos,

Argentina

Our best wishes tothe followingorganisation who isleaving the IGDF :l EyeMate Inc, Japan

Please note there are additionalorganisations being processed.

IGDFAssessments

Czech Republic | Pomocné tlapky o. p. s.

A Year With an AssistanceDog Pája

This September marks exactly one yearanniversary of our living together withPája. During this one year, a lot ofbeautiful things have happened and weenjoyed many wonderful days.Nineteenth of September 2015 hasbeen incised into my calendar in allcapital letters and Pája became a truePÞíbram assistance dog. Pája became avery important part of our family andeveryone fell in love with her. Mydaughter Leniãka gained a new friend,aunt Vlasta, who helps us very often,doesn’t have to bend over to pick upshoes every time she comes over andfriends who come visit us always getgreeted by a big black cheerful bear thatPája is. But the one who got a new bestfriend is me. A lot has changed for thebetter, both physically and mentally.Thanks to Pája I became a lot moreindependent. I can do a little bit ofshopping, I go outside more and I amable to attend more cultural events.Pája accompanies me everywhere. Ihaven’t yet encountered anyone havingproblems with Pája anywhere, exceptfor one time at a cinema, but that wasquickly resolved thanks to Pája’strainers, with which I am in contact. Ican call them anytime with anyproblem I have and they are alwaysvery helpful. After receiving the dog,our contact with the Pomocné Tlapkygroup has not been ceased, which I amvery thankful for. From time to time, Iget into an unusual situation and I canalways rely on them and give them acall.

My handicap is of a neuromuscularcharacter and rehabilitation is of anupmost importance to me. I do dailyphysical, canistherapy and positionalexercises with Pája. She massages mylegs and arms and helps me retainfeeling in them, which helps me greatly.The day I received Pája, I stopped usingcomplicated walking apparatus andswitched to just a simple walking stickand Pája. She helps me retain balanceby putting a bit of a pulling force on theleash that’s over my shoulder andchest. We go everywhere together –shops, rehabilitations, doctor’s,pedicure, hairdresser, restaurants,cinema or even simple walks and manyother places. In January, we were at arehabilitation where I had to stay in beda lot in Ple‰ and Pája was a veryexemplary dog, she behaves great

everywhere we go. Thanks to thePomocné Tlapky group, we were alsoable to take part in the birthdaycelebration of the Kooperativainsurance company. It was an amazingevent in a beautiful environment withsome incredible people. At that time, Idid not know that thanks to thefoundation I was about to receive Pája.Another very strong moment was anassistance dog graduation ceremony,which happened this year in June. Thisis where we officially received ourassistance dogs and we had thepleasure of meeting the people thattrain and take care of these amazingdogs during their youngest age. It wasvery emotional and unbelievable at thesame time.

Pája changed my life. I now do things Ieither couldn’t or didn’t dare to dobefore. She helps me greatly in myhousehold as well. Anything I drop, sheinstantly picks it up and hands it to me.She can take laundry out of thewashing machine and hands it to me aswell. She hands me pins, opens door orbrings me the remote controller when Iam comfy in my bed and I don’t want toget up anymore. She brings my walkingstick, shoes, keys and many otheritems. She helps me with my rehab andoffers me a significant mental boost. Iam never home alone with her; I canalways talk to her, cuddle with her and

pet her beautiful black fur. She’s mygreatest love that entered my life at justthe right time. Life is a lot morebeautiful and a lot happier. It’s notabout just receiving love from her, butalso giving love back. I can recognizewhen she’s not feeling too good and Itake care of her instead. I pet her,cuddle her and take very good care ofmy little black princess Pája. There’snothing more beautiful than to see thattail wiggle and see that she’s happy.Sometimes she lays on her back andsnores, so I just watch her with a smileof my face instead of watching the TV.

Pája is beautiful, kind, behaved, willingto help, loyal, hardworking … simplymy Pája.

I believe there are a lot more happyyears for us together in the future.

Thank you everyone for theopportunity of having a better life!

And trust me when I say that dog’s noseis one of the best medicines in theworld. They warm your heart, soul andcan help you overcome the impossible.

Sincerely,

Your Lenka and Pája.

Pomocné Tlapky o.p.s. offer free dogs toclients in need. Every dog is trained tothe needs of the owner. More info atwww.pomocnetlapky.cz



What aCracker

The journey of a Guide Dog puppy isone of initial uncertainty, with so manychallenges to overcome and standardsto achieve. However, with so manyalternative working careers for thosethat don’t quite make the grade, theystill can become real life changers!

For one Guide dog puppy namedCracker, a golden retriever the size of alion, with a heart to match, has not onlybeen a life changer for one individual,but has changed the lives of over 400special needs children.

Guide dogs Buddy dog partnershipshave changed the lives of manychildren across the UK and Guide Dogshave placed a number of dogs intoschools. Fountains High School inBurton Upon Trent, England, is a schoolfor children with complex learningneeds from 4 years old to 19 years old.The children’s needs range frombehavioural issues, Autism, Aspergers,Downs Syndrome amongst others.

Following a long period of assessment,Cracker was placed with the DeputyHead of the school, who undertook abespoke training programme, duringthe summer school break. A supportivetraining programme with Senior GuideDog Instructor Howard Jones, ensuredall aspects of school life were capturedwithin the training programme andthat Cracker would be able to cope withthe demanding needs of the school andchildren.

With such a diverse range of complexlearning difficulties a programme ofeducation for the children was alsoundertaken. Using a combination ofpictures and signs that is a substitutefor text, educational literature wasproduced to guide the children on how

to interact with Cracker. A green andred traffic light system of bandanas isused, to tell the children when they canand cannot interact with Cracker.

Spending his days in classes, on schooltrips, exercised by allocated carerswithin the sixth form, patrolling theschool yard at playtimes and eventaking part in the annual ChristmasNativity, Cracker has made a real andtangible difference to lives of so manychildren with complex learning needs.Deputy Head of Fountains Federation,Beverley Rowley said “Since the arrivalof Cracker within the school, we havenoticed a significant change in thebehaviour of the pupils”, she continues,“The effect of having Cracker in aclassroom is palpable and he has soon

GDBA | UK

Howard JonesGuide Dogs for the Blind, UK

GDBA | UK

“Retired Guide Dogs havebecome new members ofTaiwan’s First Family”Jennifer Chen - GDMI/Chief InspectorHuikuang Guide Dog Foundation, Taiwan

Taiwan | Huikuang Guide Dog Foundation

become the most popular member ofstaff. We were unsure whether thechildren would take to having a BuddyDog but there are real measurablechanges to children within the school.Attendance levels have risen as we hadchildren who were school phobic,speech and interaction with complexpupils has increased, relationshipvalues have improved and an overallimprovement in the behaviour ofchildren with challenging behaviourwithin classrooms, as they no longerwant to ‘upset’ Cracker”.

This demonstrates the powerful effectthat a charitable organisation can haveupon the lives of others. Whilst thestart of the journey led towardschanging the life of one individual, thejourney instead changed that of manyothers. But in order to make a changeyou need to make a start and what a‘Cracker’ this journey turned out to be.

Buddy Dog Cracker was placed atFountains Special School in BurtonUpon Trent during the summer. He hashad a profound effect upon manyhundreds of children with a range ofneeds from Autism, Downs Syndrome,behavioural issues and learningdifficulties. Teachers have reported amarked change in the behaviour,interaction and engagement of pupilssince Cracker’s arrival. Beverley Rowley,deputy head teacher reports "Crackerhas been an absolute success withinthe school", she continues, "we havechildren with very specific needs andhis character and qualities have had aremarkable effect upon students. Wehave a child who was school phobicand would not attend school. Sincelearning of Crackers arrival, the childattends school consistently. We havealso noted a significant improvement inthe children's behaviour and he has avery positive effect upon the school as awhole. Cracker gets involved not onlywithin classes, but enjoys the many daytrips out and even the end of yearprom. He’s a real Cracker and asset tothe school”

What a Cracker Cont.

A good news to share with all IGDFcolleagues: Huikuang Guide DogFoundation had successfully hold theAdoption Ceremony for Retired GuideDogs and 100 Anniversary of ModernGuide Dog Movement, on 15th Oct.These 3 retired dogs Bunny, Bella andMaru have officially become the newmembers of Taiwan’s First Familysince then.

In order to promote public’sawareness of Guide Dogs and supportto visually impaired people, Taiwan’sNational President Tsai Ing-wen whohad recently been elected this May,had taken the action of adopting 3retired GDs from our program. Bydoing this, she showed very strongcare to the welfare for Guide Dogs, thevisually- impaired and the ageinggroup of our society. She would also bethe very first national leader tobecome the adoption family of guidedogs for the last 100 years.

During the ceremony, President Tsaienjoyed the tour of GD historydemonstration. She also had sometime interacting with our staffmembers, GD users and volunteers.

We felt very honored and touchedwith her acknowledgement of howHuikuang GDF has devoted to the GDdevelopment in Taiwan for the past 25years.

It had been such a long andchallenging journey throughout thepast. We would like to take thisopportunity, to give our genuineappreciation to IGDF and colleagueschools for the long term support.


Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen and HuikuangGDF President Han-Lin Tseng, completed theagreement of adoption of 3 retired guide dogs.

Fundappas Guide Dog School | Uruguay

Arriving in Uruguay

Since April 2016, I have lived andworked in Uruguay accompanied by myDutch German Sheppard pet dogBikkel. I have worked for a Guide Dogschool which is in the developmentphase named, Fundappas.

Before my arrival in South America, Iworked with dedication and pleasurefor 17 years at the Royal Dutch GuideDog school named KNGF in theNetherlands. Kees Tinga was mysuperior for those seventeen (17) years.Kees knew about my wish to work inanother culture and suggested I take alook at the IGDF website, where I foundthe Fundappas advertisement.

Staff

When I started in Uruguay, I waspleasantly surprised with the high levelof knowledge the three (3) ApprenticeGuide Dog Mobility Instructors witheach person having their own specialty.

Magdalena knows Montevideo verywell. Maggie always finds suitableenvironments where we can train ourdogs. Florencia trains (next to her GDMIwork) people who need help with theirdog. She has much experience. MariaNoel is a natural talent. She will be thefirst Uruguayan Guide Dog MobilityInstructor.

Our first training dogs

Soon after my arrival, we all couldimmediately start training the thirteen(13) dogs already at the Fundappasschool. Two (2) of the dogs could notlearn to deal with other dogs andshowed behavior we couldn't accept.The other eleven (11) dogs can bedelivered as Guide Dogs or Service Dogsfor people with Autism.

Some of the challenges

There are lots of differences betweenUruguay and Holland includingcultural behavior, infrastructure andthe street view in general.

The main challenges for Uruguayanguide dogs are the incredible number ofdogs here, and the food on the groundand opportunistic, defensive traffic

drivers. You can compare the numberof dogs here with the amount of bikesin Holland.

Some people in Uruguay sleep on thepavement, their breakfast is placednext to them and their toilet is justaround the corner. In May 2015, I visitedGuiding Eyes for the Blind in New Yorkand luckily they showed me how toteach traffic training as taught toAmerican guide dogs. We use the samemethod here in Uruguay and it seemslike that our dogs understand the topic.

Future dog deliveries

Everything is going very well and we areplanning to deliver this year five (5)Guide Dogs for the Blind and three (3)Service Autism Dogs followed inJanuary by two (2) more Guide Dogs andone (1) Service Autism Dog.

Visit from IGDF Project Worker

A year ago, Fundappas received a visitfrom a IGDF Development Committee,Project Worker, Eric Loori fromFreedom Guide Dogs in the USA. Ericmade a very useful report about hiswork here in Uruguay. He visited,together with Veronica Ventura, thePuppy Walker families. She followed acourse about breeding anddevelopment of future guide dogs inNew York given by DevelopmentCommittee member, JaneRussenberger. Veronica is doing abrilliant job being in charge of the

breeding program and guiding PuppyWalker families.

Together with Alexa, who has abackground in psychology, (the futureinstructor for the Service Dogs) wedelivered last August the first dog forautism to a family with twin boys.

Alberto Calcagno is the founder ofFundappas, he worked for years toreach the point where we are right now.In the following text, he will write moreabout the history of Fundappas:

Alberto Calcagno - Founder & President

'Starting from Scratch'

When FUNDAPPAS was born,everything related to the Guide Dogworld was absolutely unknown in ourcountry, so we had to 'start fromscratch'. This was led by much goodadvice from the visit of our friend EloyAranda Flores and then with thecontributions of a long list of generousprofessionals who participated over thecourse of the years.

So everything had to be done, frompreparing law articles to support theGuide Dog work, to visit without pausethe National Authorities, Companies,and many other strata of our societylooking for every kind of possiblesupport to our cause. It is fair to say,that in that way we’ve found a lot ofsensitive people that helped us a lot forour School to become a reality.

The First Steps of an Applicant Organisation,Fundappas


Alberto Calcagno and Brit Lamberts,Fundappas Guide Dog School, Uruguay

The First Steps of anApplicant Organisation,Fundappas Cont.

Fundappas Guide Dog School | Uruguay Australia | Guide Dogs SA/NT

The 'Dreamers'

I would like to stop at this point andlook back ten or eleven years ago, whenonly six or eight “stubborn crazydreamers” hoped that this dreamwould come true some day. You mustunderstand the overwhelming emotionwe have now seeing it becoming areality! And now with the amazingwork of Brit we are about to deliver thefirst Guide and Autism Assistance Dogs,we feel that our heart bursts of joy!!

The 'Helpers'

The list of acknowledgements isextensive, starting with the previousand present authorities of theInternational Guide Dog Federation andits Development Committee, but I feel


compelled to give some names thatmarked the path of FUNDAPPAS andhave been a permanent support.

Besides the already mentioned Eloy,other great friends like John Gosling,Alberto Alvarez Campos, Jane Kefford,Eric Loori, Fabiano Pereira and Ian Cox,and the invaluable and generouscontributions of Jane Russenberger.Also, a very special recognition for allthe members of the AdministrationCouncil, technical teams andvolunteers that are part of FUNDAPPAS.

Thank you to the Visionary for allowingthe small and emerging Guide DogsSchools to address the universe of theGuide Dog and leave to everyone a 'bighug' from Uruguay."

New life and newhope, from AutismAssistance DogProgram.Natalie CareyGuide Dogs SA/NT, Australia

South Australia’s innovative AutismAssistance Dog program is changingthe lives of families of young children,providing safety, independence andinclusion.

Since beginning as a pilot in 2008 andestablished in 2010 as a permanentprogram, 31 families have beenassisted in both city and rural areas,breaking down isolation.

“The main role that the AutismAssistance Dog (AAD) plays is a safetyrole,” Ms Natalie Carey, PrincipleAutism Assistance Dog Instructor.“When out walking the child isattached by a tether to the dog, whichwill anchor in a down position if thechild suddenly decides to bolt, ofteninto danger. Over time we havewitnessed that the desire to boltactually does diminish as the bondbetween the child and the dogdevelops. It is also amazing to see thatthe child becomes much calmer athome and out and about in thecommunity.”

Seven years is a long time in the worldof a young person as they experienceand learn about their environment.Autism can make that world just thatmore challenging. That’s when GuideDogs South Australia first met Rileyand his family.

Diagnosed as severely autistic, thenfive-year-old Riley was non-communicative and unpredictable.

Leaving the house was a majorchallenge for his family. A simple walkto the park or the shops was out of thequestion.

“We would have to strap Riley into hisstroller or hold him. We had to be 100per cent aware at all times of what hewas doing, for fear that he would boltaway into danger,” said Riley’s mum,Nicole.

Riley had also just started school.“When he realised he had to go everyday, he just wouldn’t go. It was takingme an hour to coax him to leave thehouse,” she said.

“He was also extremely afraid of dogs.

The idea of an Autism Assistance Dog(AAD) seemed out of the question – Icouldn’t imagine how it would work. Iwas in despair for my little boy, andmy family.

“But then we met the Guide Dogsteam. They were just amazing. Wewere on the AAD pilot program – oneof the very first matches. I was afraidand excited, all at once.

They gently and skilfully introducedRiley to our wonderful Blake – andovernight, life changed for the better.”

Nicole says the change she has seenover the years from a non-communicative, shy, afraid little boy,to a settled, happy young man isphenomenal.

The difference after Blake arrived wasextraordinary. Riley would happilyconnect to Blake, walk calmly next tohim and play with him. He startedsaying a few words and his social skillsimproved.

“Riley became calm and contentaround Blake. I clearly remember theday I looked out the window and sawthem playing in the yard and Riley waslaughing like mad. It was so wonderful.I had never seen anything like it before.

“I remember the first time I decided touse Blake to help us get Riley out thedoor to school. I connected him and we‘went for a walk’, without protest. Myhusband met us down the road withthe car; we got in and went to school.We never had a problem again,” shesaid.

“Most importantly, there was no morefear. We could leave the house withoutany stress or fear of danger. It was sucha relief to know he was safe, and thatlife was actually going to get better.”

Over the years, Riley’s relationshipwith Blake, his social skills and hispersonality have blossomed.

Nicole feels so much more relaxedand confident these days. Originally,her biggest concern was Riley’s safety.But over the years, he developed sucha special connection with Blake thathe understood that he needed to staywith him and did not run away. It wasan understanding that didn’t reallyexist between him and his parents.

Guide Dogs SA/NT | Australia

“For several years he was totallyreliant upon Blake. Now, when theyare in a safe environment like thenearby park, Riley is somewhat self-sufficient when walking. Riley isobviously bigger now so he isn’t‘attached’ to Blake to stop him fromrunning away. However, their closebond means that Riley is moreconfident and knows to stay besideBlake which in a way gives him a littlemore independence.”

Riley still only says a few words, but isvery good at taking direction. He’s ayoung man of 12 now and his life isvery different. He loves playingMinecraft on his iPad; he lovesswimming, riding his scooter and hisbike. He goes to school every day, isdoing well with his letters andnumbers and loves to sing! He likes tohelp in his Grandpa’s workshop andNicole hopes that one day he’ll be ableto participate in hands-on work likethis.

Life is just normal now. Nicole and herfamily cannot imagine what lifewould be like today without the gift ofBlake.

“Being matched with an AutismAssistance Dog was the first step inchanging not only Riley’s life, but ourwhole family’s life,” Nicole said.

The Guide Dogs SA Autism AssistanceDog program www.guidedogs.org.au


New life and new hope,from Autism AssistanceDog Program. Cont.

Australia | RSB Guide and Assistance Dog Service

Guiding Schools in different directions

As many of you are well aware,assistance dogs is an ever growingindustry around the world. ManyGuide Dog Schools continue to expandtheir training fields to includedifferent career paths for their dogs.

Together, in 2013 the Returned &Services League (RSL), an organisationwith the mission to care for the healthand wellbeing of the AustralianDefence Force community, and TheRoyal Society for the Blind (RSB) Guideand Assistance Dog Service developedOperation K9 (OpK9).

Op K9 reflects the RSB and RSL’scommitment to supporting veteransusing the RSB’s unique capabilities ofproviding quality assistance dogs. Thehighly trained assistance dogs aretrained to perform various taskswhich meet the needs of a specificveteran.

The aim is to use the dog to reduce thesymptoms of Post-Traumatic StressDisorder (PTSD) through tasksincluding physical groundingtechniques during flash backs,detecting and interrupting increasedanxiety and stress, waking up fromnight terrors, finding misplaced orforgotten items, assisting with dailyliving skills such as retrieves for those

with limited mobility, being a conduitfor positive socialisation whilstproviding constant companionshipand a purpose in life.

Not only is the dog trained thesespecific tasks but the training andinteraction between the veteran anddog itself plays a role in diminishingthe symptoms of PTSD. As manyveterans struggle with emotionalnumbing, OpK9 dogs are trained torespond solely to vocal cues andencouragement requiring the veteranto show a range of emotions, fromcalm to excited to assertive, in orderto get the dog to respond. Theattention a dog brings when out inpublic pushes the veterans to interactwith people, drawing them out ofsocial isolation, another commonsymptom of PTSD.

Assistance dogs working in thiscapacity are not a new thing in theUSA but have been more recentlyintroduced in Australia. Instructor,Ann Spader, came to join the RSBTeam and establish the program inAustralia bringing a wealth ofindustry experience from her workwith Warrior Canine Connection at

Ann Spader - Assistance Dog InstructorSophie Slattery - Cadet Assistance Dog InstructorRSB Guide and Assistance Dog Service, Australia

Walter Reed National Medical MilitaryCenter, Fort Belvoir and BerginUniversity of Canine Studies.

It’s is RSB’s goal to help develop theindustry of Assistance Dogs byconducting various research projects.The Centre of Traumatic StressStudies with the University ofAdelaide has partnered with the OpK9team to conduct a study on theefficacy of assistance dogs forveterans with PTSD, a subject that isin high demand in the industry. DaisyHolt and Sophie Slattery representedthe RSB in May at the 2016International Guide Dog Federation(IGDF) conference, presenting their‘Whelp to Work’ temperament testmodel with the aim to determine theideal career path for puppies in theprogram. Various Guide Dog programsaround the world showed interest insharing and receiving data from thisproject in hopes of furthering theirprograms in similar ways.

If you are interested in learning moreabout the research projects or theOperation K9 Program, please contactus at [email protected].


The next deadlinefor Visionarysubmissions is

January 27th

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Remember to include thecompleted submission form,along with your article andany pictures you would liketo include

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HillÞelds, BurghÞeld Common, Reading, Berkshire, RG7 3YG, United Kingdom.t +44 (0)118 983 8356 f +44 (0)118 983 8197 e [email protected] www.igdf.org.uk

Registered in England Company No 2376162 Registered Charity No 1062441

Special Feature:Fundraising andcommunication

November 2016 Visionary

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