Guide dog training is a significant elements in a series of essentialservices that boost both self-confidence and independence of blind individuals. Our training school was founded on October 1, 1991. Our average annualoutput is 25 fully trained guide dogs. In 1994 the Centre joined the International Federation of Guide Dog Schools for the Blind; our membership has provedextremely beneficial in that we can constantly exchange ideas, informationand experiences with the most distinguished training establishments fromaround the world.
The selection of most suitable guide dogs is chiefly made from the followingbreeds: Labrador retriever, golden retriever, (less frequently) GermanShepherd and American-Canadian White Shepherd.
The training process is divided into two stages: puppy walking and thetraining proper. Puppy-walking is carried out by volunteers who in still into their charges appropriate behavioural patterns for various places and situations, such as home, street, public transport etc. Both the temperamentand health condition of puppies are examined at the time of selection and monitored in three-months' intervals. Provided they comply with all necessary requirements, the young dogs are placed in a special training programme; this happens when they are one year old and the training itself may last from six to eight months. During this period, health and other checks are conducted every two months. After successful passing of their final tests in guiding skills, the fully trained dogs are handed over to their duly instructed masters, i.e., blind patrons.
In the post-training period, members of our staff are in regular contactwith guide dog users. They provide advice and assist in solving any problemsthat may arise. The majority of our clients takes advantage of our deliveryservice supplying dog foods and special gear.
The school organizes a variety of publicity functions, public and massmedia
presentations, etc. We demonstrate everyday life as it is sharedby the dog and his master; to broaden
the school's range of client-orientedactivities, we also organize a number of fund-raising cultural
events.