Guide Dogs For The Blind - Artículo Breve

Hispanic Times Magazine, June 22, 2001

Ms. Adelaida Ortega of Santa Barbara graduated recently with a black Labrador Retriever Guide Dog named "Marla" at her side. The duo completed three weeks of intensive training at Guide Dogs for the Blind, Inc., in San Rafael, California. Graduation took place on Saturday, March 10, at the 11-acre campus, located 20 miles north of San Francisco.

Adelaida is a volunteer ceramics teacher at the Braille Institute and a member of the American Basket Makers. "Marla" will be joining Adelaida's retired guide, yellow Lab "Romano" at home.

During the course of training, Guide Dogs and their new partners learn to work as teams. They practice safe travel techniques on stairways and elevators, on crowded sidewalks and across busy streets.

Guide Dogs learn to stop at all curbs and wait until their partners command them to go forward or turn. They will disobey a command to cross a street if traffic is approaching. They guide people safely around pedestrians and obstacles, including over-head obstacles, and avoid distractions.

Guide Dogs for the Blind, Inc., has produced more than 8,000 trained guides for graduates across the United States and Canada since 1942.