Make a positive change and look after a dog for free? Yes PLEASE!!!
Guide dogs play an essential role in the lives of individuals who are blind or have low vision. Guide dogs allow them to be more independent by helping them move safely and confidently throughout their environment.
Gary Lyon had his heart broken when he had to make the decision to put down his dog, Zac. He vowed never to have his heart broken again, so he decided to become a foster parent for guide dogs. But to his surprise, the move backfired spectacularly.
Gary’s path to become a guide dog foster started when Gary had to put down his dog, Zac. While Zac was a ‘lovely’ boy, he developed health problems as he got older.
Gary fondly recalls that Zac had a very responsive tail. When the Lhasa Apso dog breed was happy, his tail swung about wildly. However, Gary and his wife Carol started to notice that Zac’s tail was down almost all the time. That’s when the couple realised that Zac’s chapter in their lives was coming to an end.
Gary Lyon now assists with training guide dogs after having his heart broken. He is currently training Danny (pictured). Credit: Alicia Canter/The Guardian
Making a Positive Impact
Since Gary lives near Guide Dog UK’s training centre, he thought that it was a good idea to become a guide dog trainer. The centre trains the puppies to become guide dogs, and Gary frequently sees the locals with guide puppy dogs. So he decided to put his name down. That way, he thought, he would never have to put down another dog.
The guide dog puppies spend the first year of their lives in Gary’s home, where they learn basic commands and more challenging tasks, such as leading people upstairs and stopping at traffic lights, waiting for them to turn green.
The typical guide dog is usually a golden retriever or Labrador, but German shepherds are also fairly common. They are usually some of the best; possessing high intelligence, curiosity and confidence.
A Long-time Trainer
The first dog Gary trained was a Labrador called Elvis. Gary was responsible for teaching Elvis to identify a door. And just like any other type of training, you teach the dog the verbal command, show what he is meant to do, and give him a reward for completing the task.
Gary initially thought that it would be easy to give Elvis back to the training centre. However, when it came to say goodbye, Gary had his heart broken again.
Next came Murphy, who was a Labrador crossed with a retriever. After Murphy, it was a German Shepherd called Rocky. After Rocky came Danny, a Labrador retriever and his current guide puppy dog in training.
It’s ironic that, in order to avoid another heartbreak of putting down a dog, Gary has locked himself in a continuous cycle of heartbreak. Only this time it’s with multiple different dogs. While Gary agrees that it’s torturing him, he also believes that it’s worth it. “I’m doing something useful, and you can’t always do something useful in life”, he says.
Want to make a change?
Do you want to also make a positive change and look after a dog for free? Despite the perpetual cycle of heartbreak, being a guide dog trainer can be highly rewarding. After all, you’re providing people who might not otherwise be able to leave their house an opportunity to experience the outside world. That in itself is irreplaceable. You’re training helpers who give these people confidence, independence, and ultimately freedom.
Also, did we mention that dogs are awesome?!
If you’re interested in becoming a guide dog trainer in Australia, you can read more about it at Assistance Dogs Australia’s website.
