Guiding Eyes for the Blind On Hold

In the era of Covid 19, so much has changed.  Take the training and hand off to the blind of guide dogs that are ready to serve, to their new owners who have been waiting patiently for their new helper for months, if not years.  The training of guide dogs is not considered essential business!

Easy for those that are not blind to say.  A blind person may wait a year or longer to get his companion in normal times.  Now this is delayed.  Most people who qualify for a guide dog need help in the outside world as well as within their own home, with a variety of tasks.  When a guide dog is ready for service, the person who is receiving the newly trained dog, receives extensive training with the dog before they actually go back home with the dog.  This cannot be done right now because of social distancing.  That means that people and dogs will have to wait many weeks, if not months, to start their life together.

 People with disabilities need a vast number of services most of us have never even thought about.  Help getting groceries, taking trash cans out, getting mail (if your mailbox is not at your front door), rides to doctor appointments, help preparing meals, and most importantly, someone to talk to every day.  People who are blind have the additional challenge of navigating their home without an accident and just taking a simple walk.  With the restrictions put on Guiding Eyes for the Blind and probably other organizations that train guide dogs, people in desperate need of help, and the companionship that the dog offers, cannot be served. 

This is so sad to me.  I have seen first hand how difficult it is for a senior (without a disability) living alone to tolerate self isolation.  My mom, age 96 and in excellent health, has been alone and self isolating since March 10.  She has done very well. I am so proud of how she has made the best of it.  She and her friend have a one hour exercise class twice a week with a trainer.  They do this on Facetime.  She has connected with her neighbors, who up until now, were so busy she never saw them.  She went over and left her phone number in their mailbox and told them she was all alone, and  since then they have been very attentive.  The lesson is you have to ask for what you need.

My mom's dog Captain, has been her constant companion and has helped her get through the past month.  Hopefully restrictions will be lifted soon on guide dog training, and those dogs that are ready to be placed, will get where they are needed most.