The History of the Seeing Eye Dog, Term Paper Example

The idea of using animals for the blind has existed for a long time. In Europe it was held that the early origins came from the 1st World War and soldiers being blinded in that conflict.  The early dogs introduced were that of German Shepherds. The selected this breed of dog because it had a strong sense of loyalty to its owner and made an excellent companion. The dog had a natural tendency to protect its Master, hence it served as both a protector and a loyal companion.

In America it was Dorothy Eustis that started a guide dog training program and she later formed a foundation that was termed ‘ the seeing eye’, as such we were first introduced to the ‘seeing eye dog’.  Today the program has developed over many States and has the capability of helping people with a wide range of disabilities. However, the accolade must go to Morris Frank of Nashville, Tennessee who came up with the original idea. ” A Nashville man named Morris Frank had heard about the story and decided to contact Ms. Eustis and ask her if she would train a dog for him. She agreed, and Mr. Frank became known as the first blind person ever to use a guide dog.”  (animalshelter.org)

History of guide dogs can be traced back to the 16th Century. Perhaps more noted is that of Author Elizabeth Barrett Browning and her novel ‘Aurora Leigh’ produced in the 19th Century, who described in a conversation with Lady Walmer that ‘ the blind man walks whenever the dog pulls/ and so I answered (BookV.,11.1028-9)

The name of the ‘Seeing Eye’ was contrived from a biblical passage by Frank Morris ” Morris Frank returned home to Nashville and honored his promise: with $10,000 from Ms. Eustis, Morris Frank worked to establish the first dog guide school in America. Incorporated on January 29, 1929, it was called The Seeing Eye, after the article Ms. Eustis wrote. The title came from Proverbs 20:12 in the Bible, “The seeing eye, the hearing ear; The Lord hath made them both.”  (Companion Dogs).

The ‘Seeing Eye’ guide school is one of the oldest in the world and is based in Morristown NJ.  24 students at 12 intervals a year visit the school in order to obtain an experience with a ‘seeing eye’ dog.  “Our students – people who are blind or visually impaired – come from all over the United States and Canada to spend up to a month training with a new Seeing Eye® dog. They range in age from 16 to senior citizens, their home environments may be rural or urban, and they may be homemakers, volunteers, or judges. But they all have this in common: They are motivated by a sense of independence and armed with the knowledge that Seeing Eye® dogs will provide an extra edge to attain success, however they may choose to define it.”  (seeing eye.org)

The seeing eye dogs are specially bred for the purpose and as such their destiny is set out from the day they are born.  Special training takes place fromk the earliest stages of puppy infancy, ” Much of our research is driven by the fact there is no “perfect Seeing Eye® dog.”  Variations in temperament, size, strength, stride, and energy are characteristics that must be closely matched to create a successful partnership.  From developing a computer information system that calculates the suitability of every dog in the colony to become a breeder, to funding cutting edge research in DNA sequencing, The Seeing Eye is the leader in building, if not the “perfect dog,” then certainly the most healthy, productive, predictable, and reliable dog guides possible.”  (seeing eye.org).

The program concentrates on specific breeds of dogs and these are German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Lab/golden crosses. They have in excess of 2002 interconnected pavillions allowing the dogs to see one another and people entering the kennels. This eliminates the amount of barking and stress imposed upon the dogs.  The aim is to provide a facility conducive to that of an early childhood experience and promote an active and healthy lifestyle from puppy to the adult dog.

The Morristown NJ facility also has an adoption program.  Not all dogs are suitable as meeting the stringent requirements in order to become a guide dog. In addition older guide dogs eventually meet retirement and are placed with nice caring owners for the balance of their natural life.  The facility have a very good and responsible attitude towards dog adoption and retirement ” When a dog is removed from consideration as a guide, it is offered to the volunteer who raised it as a puppy.  If the puppy raiser cannot take the dog, it becomes adoptable, and we place the dog with a family in the community.  Because adoptive families are responsible for meeting their dogs in Morristown, N.J., and transporting them home, we restrict adoptions to families in eastern states.”  (seeing eye.org).

Lois Merrihew of San Francisco California was concerned about men being blinded in the Second World War and in 1941 she decided to pursue a dream of training dogs as guides for the blind ” Years before, she had decided to pursue her childhood dream to train dogs as guides for the blind. An East Coast school told her that women were not hired as trainers. They were not considered physically or emotionally fit for such work. That response solidified her resolve to become a dog guide trainer. She joined with dog trainer Don Donaldson (formerly of the Seeing Eye) and Hazel Hurst as an administrative assistant/fundraiser to form the Hurst Foundation in Monrovia, Calif.”  (Merrihew)

This accomplishment raised a level of awareness that indeed men would return home blinded from the war.  No other real preparation was in place to deal with such events. The promotion of this in Northern Califormia raised further help and support to build guide dog training programs. ” America’s involvement in the war brought the realization that blinded veterans would be returning to San Francisco. Lois and Don offered their expertise to the American Women’s Voluntary Services (AWVS). With the help of AWVS Director Mrs. Stanhope Nixon, San Francisco Chair Mrs. Nion Tucker, and others, Guide Dogs for the Blind was born. The school was incorporated on May 27, 1942, and operated from a rented house in Los Gatos, Calif., until it eventually moved to its present location in San Rafael, California, in 1947. ”  (Merrihew).

Dogs have not been the only animals to participate in seeing eye trials. Without doubt they have been the most successful.  Other animals like that of miniature horses have also been used for suitability ” The Guide Horse Foundation was founded in 1999 as an experimental program to access the abilities of miniature horses as assistance animals. There is a critical shortage of guide animals for the blind and guide horses are an appropriate assistance animal for thousands of visually impaired people in the USA.”   (The Guide Horse Foundation).  People using the miniature horses say that the animals have excellent judgement and are not easily distracted by people. People see these as a gentler alternative to the dog but they do not offer the level of protection and companionship that the well trained guide dog offers.

Other dogs have been used as guide dogs, other than the breeds previously mentioned, these have included such breeds as ” Poodles, Collies, Dobermans, Rottweillers, Boxers, and Airedale Terriers. These dogs are trained along with the ones that they lead to be able to do what normal people who can see, do. These dogs since they are doing a great service, are often allowed in places that other dogs are not normally allowed to be. These dogs are also protected by law and the laws are different all over the world.”  (Grohol).

There are many inspirational stories about Guide Dogs and their owners and some of these are extremely moving.  One such story relates to that of Rick and his dog Cialo.  Rick being an ex Vietnam War veteran ” He was just 18 when his country sent him to Vietnam and changed his life forever. His blindness, which kicked in about three years ago, is from multiple sclerosis. He said doctors at the Veteran’s Administration are pretty sure his multiple sclerosis is from exposure to Agent Orange, a defoliant used extensively during the Vietnam War. Now he only sees what’s directly in front of him, only in black and white, and much of the time everything is blurry. And if that weren’t enough, he also suffers from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from the strain of combat. ” (Ward).

Rick had to go through a rigorous training and rehabilitation program getting used to his new condition and dealing with combat stress.  Rick is a success story who won through and had the courage to make the adjustment and restore his life ” Ward said he can’t wait to get Cialo back to Marianna, Florida, where one of his favourite things to do is walk during the day when his wife is at work. He’s having a five-foot fence installed just for Cialo, and, “Now I’ll be able to go so much further and faster. And I can’t wait for my wife to meet him. I’m almost as excited as the day I brought home my baby daughter”  (Ward).

Works Cited

animalshelter.org. The History Of Seeing Eye Dogs. 2006. 1 7 2010 <http://www.animalshelter.org/pet-tips/28/The_History_Of_Seeing_Eye_Dogs.html>.

Companion Dogs. History of Guide Dogs. 2010. 1 7 2010 <http://www.muhlenberg.edu/studorgs/companion/ccfaqhistory.html>.

Grohol, Stephanie. History of the seeing eye dog. 20 5 2009. 1 7 2010 <http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1752744/history_of_the_seeing_eye_dog_pg2.html?cat=53>.

Merrihew, Louis. History of Guide Dogs for the blind. 2010. 1 7 2010 <http://www.guidedogs.com/site/PageServer?pagename=about_overview_history_merrihew>.

seeing eye.org. The Seeing Eye. 7 3 2010. 2010 7 1 <http://www.seeingeye.org/aboutUs/default.aspx>.

The Guide Horse Foundation. The Guide Horse Foundation. 2010. 1 7 2010 <http://www.guidehorse.com/>.

Ward, Rick. Rick Ward. 2010. 1 7 2010 <http://www.guidedogs.com/site/PageServer?pagename=stories_rward>.