RSB Guide Dog Service
Who can use an RSB Guide Dog?
RSB Guide Dogs are provided to suitable RSB Clients who are blind and who are proficient in the use of a primary mobility aid such as a long cane.
RSB Guide Dogs are only provided to clients who meet certain criteria, some of which include:
- adequate physical strength, reflex, balance and endurance to manage and control the dog
- ability to achieve and maintain the leadership role in the relationship between themselves and the dog
- motivated to use the dog primarily as a working dog, rather than for companionship
- sufficient need and purposeful work for the dog to maintain its safe performance
- able to provide for the dog's suitable accommodation, nutrition and health care
What does an RSB Guide Dog do?
RSB Guide Dogs assist people who are blind or vision impaired to travel around safely and independently. Whilst most people who are blind or vision impaired don't need an RSB Guide Dog, for those who do, the dog becomes their "eyes".
An RSB Guide Dog is trained to:
- move freely along a path of travel to avoid bumping into things
- avoid overhead obstacles such as low branches
- safely negotiate road crossings
- obey a wide range of commands
RSB Guide Dogs are most commonly Labradors and Golden Retrievers, and are legally entitled to travel anywhere, including public transport, taxis and all public places.
Guide Dogs and the Law.
What happens if I apply for an RSB Guide Dog?
It costs in excess of $25,000 to breed and train each RSB Guide Dog, so a clearly defined assessment and selection process is used to ensure that only suitable applicants are provided with a dog.
Initial assessment: Applicants undergo an initial assessment to ascertain their current mobility skills and level of need.
Applicant interview: Suitable applicants then undergo a face-to-face interview in their home with an RSB Guide Dog Instructor. The interview is used to further assess the applicant's suitability for an RSB Guide Dog, and provides them with information to enable an informed decision as to whether they wish to proceed with their application.
The matching process: Suitable applicants then enter the process of being matched with the most compatible RSB Guide Dog. This process carefully matches the individual traits of each RSB Guide Dog with the applicant's physique, personality, travel environment and mobility needs. Due to the small numbers of trained RSB Guide Dogs, the matching process can take some time.
Training: Once an applicant is matched with a compatible RSB Guide Dog, they undergo an intensive four week training program, including up to two weeks of "Residential Training", which takes place at a residential training facility. All RSB Guide Dog users are provided with ongoing support by the RSB Guide Dog Service.
How do I sponsor an RSB Guide Dog?
Puppy Sponsorship Hotline: 1800 644 577
How do I become a puppy educator?
What will an RSB Guide Dog cost me?
The RSB provides all RSB Guide Dogs and training free of charge to suitable applicants. However, there are costs involved in keeping an RSB Guide Dog, for which the user is responsible.
These include:
- dog food, which can be purchased from the RSB through the generous sponsorship of Royal Canin at a reduced cost.
- treatments such as heart worm tablets and flea treatments
How do I find out more?
To find out more information, or to apply for an RSB Guide Dog, contact:
RSB Guide Dog Service
Chris Muldoon, Manager
Blacks Road, Gilles Plains, Adelaide
South Australia 5086
telephone: 08 82614121
fax: 08 82663310
mobile: 0400 800 619
email: cmuldoon@rsb.org.au