“Having a guide dog, it is so worth it. It has given me more and exceeded my expectations more than I ever thought. If someone thinks they’re not the right person for a guide dog, or they have concerns, there’s a whole community out there who believes in them. Number one, it will change their life, and number two, there’s a whole world out there who’s rooting for them and will back them up.”
It is clear that guide dogs remain a valuable travel tool. Of the 533 individuals who par ticipated in our survey, 284 (53%) reported currently using a guide dog. Of these participants, 128 (45%) reported using a guide dog for 20 years or longer. The guide dog users who provided qualitative data expressed enthusiasm for the guide dog lifestyle. The benefits of guide dog travel, described by both survey and interview participants, generally fell into three categories: travel efficiency, emotional support, and social benefits.
Travel Efficiency
Guide dog users described several practical advantages of traveling with a guide dog. These included the ability to walk faster, to avoid or move around obstacles, to move more smoothly through crowds, and to maintain a straight line of travel. Participants used words such as freedom, independence, and confidence often when describing their experiences with guide dog travel. A participant explained:
“It’s hard to explain. It’s so different walking with a cane than it is walking with a guide dog. A guide dog is just kind of like you move; in my experience, I get around a lot faster. I feel a little bit more confident walking with a guide dog, so that’s how it really feels.”
Another added:
“From the mobility side, I would say just the freedom…I think the freedom of not stressing about obstacles has been really amazing.”
Emotional Support
Guide dog users described the emotional benefits that were at least as significant as the practical benefits of guide dog travel. These included companionship, confidence, perceived safety, and a sense of not being alone during stressful or uncertain travel experiences. In the words of one participant:
“They’re a very useful tool, and yet they’re a very comforting friend to have by you also.”
Another added,
“I grew up with dogs, always enjoyed having them. They add a level of comfort and joy to my life that you can’t really replace.”
Social Benefits
Finally, some guide dog users stated that they believed having a guide dog helps facilitate social interactions and conveys a positive image of blindness or low vision to members of the public. According to one participant,
“It’s a different attitude that society has, I think, looking at you with a cane as opposed to a dog. They think you’re more independent, they think you’re more capable [with a dog].”
Importantly, though, the social impact of using a guide dog can be a double-edged sword, as other participants described sometimes getting unwanted public attention or struggling with individuals interacting with their working dog without permission. Thus, using a guide dog can present both advantages and challenges in social situations.
