Guide Dogs are unique, just like the people they support.

That’s why we take the time to learn about every person and potential Guide Dog’s situation, lifestyle, and temperament before we can recommend a partnership.

Some of the things we consider before suggesting a Guide Dog partnership include:

• Your walking speed and balance.
• Your ability to maintain orientation when travelling.
• The types of environments you usually travel in.
• How frequently and how far you travel.

If you’re exploring how to get a Guide Dog, here’s how the Guide Dog application process works:

Contact Guide Dogs NSW/ACT and enquire about Guide Dog Mobility. You may like to speak to your Orientation and Mobility instructor about your goal to become a Guide Dog Handler or register for an information session below.

You will then be asked to read the Guide Dog Information Pack and complete the Self-Assessment checklist at the end to help you decide if Guide Dog Mobility is right for you.

Apply for a Guide Dog assessment. 

A Guide Dog Orientation and Mobility Assessment will be conducted by a qualified Guide Dog Mobility Instructor (GDMI) generally over two sessions but this is dependent on Client needs, location and service availability.

The first session will likely be an interview over the phone or online to gather information about your needs, goals and lifestyle.

The second session will be an assessment of your orientation and mobility skills. The GDMI will provide the assessment to an expert panel with their recommendations, and the panel will determine if your application is approved. 

You will then be matched with a dog that has successfully completed our world-class Guide Dog training program. But the work doesn’t stop there!

Once you’ve been partnered with your new best friend, intensive Guide Dog Mobility training begins. Your Guide Dog Mobility Instructor will design a training program that best suits your needs in consultation with you.

If you’re thinking about applying for a Guide Dog, we encourage you to attend our free Guide Dog Information Sessions and Guide Dog Experience Days held throughout the year.

You can attend these events to learn more about Guide Dog Mobility and decide if a Guide Dog is the right fit for you.

Register to attend one of our Guide Dog sessions

Who can get a Guide Dog, and how do I qualify?

A person with significant vision changes who requires a primary mobility aid, such as a long cane, to travel independently and safely may be a suitable applicant for a Guide Dog and Guide Dog Mobility training. Applicants must be physically fit enough to provide their Guide Dog with the required exercise and care. They also need to be willing and motivated to put in the effort needed to learn how to work as a team.

What is Guide Dog Mobility?

Guide Dogs are highly trained assistance animals. Their skills and temperament meet the International Guide Dog Federation’s standards for supporting the independent mobility of people who are blind or have low vision. A person who works with a Guide Dog is called a Guide Dog Handler. Together, the Handler and Guide Dog form a special partnership, each playing a vital role in achieving the best mobility outcomes.

A Guide Dog can:

Assist the Handler to avoid obstacles in their immediate path.

Stop at changes in surface level, such as kerbs or steps.

Locate destinations they have been taught to find.

A Guide Dog cannot:

Assess traffic flow and decide when it is safe to cross the road.

Guide to any destination in a new location. (A Guide Dog is not a GPS; it must be trained to target new objectives such as landmarks or buildings.)

How could Guide Dog Mobility help me?

A Guide Dog may provide faster and more fluid mobility through complex environments, such as crowded areas, giving you greater confidence and less stress when navigating to destinations. A Guide Dog can locate various objects for you, such as doors, shop counters and poles for light-assisted crossings. They can also maintain a straight line of travel, for example, when crossing the road or supporting you to align with access ramps.

What happens after you are matched with a Guide Dog?

Once you have been successfully matched and formed a Guide Dog partnership, you’ll start training together. Training programs are tailored to each individual’s needs. They typically run for three to four weeks (or as long as you need). To achieve the best possible outcome during this training period, you’ll need to be available each weekday.

Where does Guide Dog training take place?

Training can take place either at your home or in a residential class program at a motel. If your home life is busy, it can be a good idea to bond with your dog in a location that enables you to focus on your new skill development and your partnership with your dog. You will still receive training in your home once this initial training is complete. Guide Dog Mobility training often allows for more than one Client to be present, which can provide opportunities for peer support and new connections.

As training progresses, the Handler and Guide Dog Team moves on to travelling in more complex and dynamic environments.

Training also includes:

- public transport

- shopping centres

- traffic awareness

- cafés

- other environments you might frequent regularly.

What are your responsibilities as a Guide Dog Handler?

You must be able to maintain the health and wellbeing of your dog; Guide Dogs need to stay happy and healthy to complete their important work!

You’ll be responsible for daily health checks, grooming and ensuring that your Guide Dog has plenty of exercise, along with time to play and enjoy being a dog.

You should also care for your dog’s basic needs, such as providing food and water and ensuring a safe, secure place for rest and exercise. Additionally, you should provide your dog with access to communal areas and make sure they feel like a welcomed member of the household.

It’s also important to maintain and develop your Guide Dog’s skills by reinforcing their training and maintaining a routine, especially in the early stages of the partnership.

Following your initial training, you’ll continue to receive support and training through our in-person follow-ups. These will occur at one, three, six and 12 months in the first year, then annually until your dog turns eight.

You can also contact us at any time if you need help addressing any issues with your dog or learning new routes and destinations together.