Exploring the match between handlers and guide dogs

Abstract

The relationship between guide dog handlers and their guide dogs was investigated to identify the reasons why some partnerships are successful while others are not. Fifty handlers, who had used 118 dogs, were interviewed on a number of topics designed to explore the match. Results indicated that expectations of guide dog use were mostly well met, and most matches were successful. Successfully matched handlers rated their dogs significantly better than unsuccessfully matched handlers did on all measures of mobility, companionship and social-interactions. Four out of every five dogs remained in partnership with their handlers. Most dogs that did not were returned for problems pertaining to mobility, followed by poor social/home behaviour. Overall, dogs were shown to enhance quality of life and handlers had a more positive perception of their travel abilities when using a dog.