No Guide Dog For Slow Walker
A frail widower, Eric Gamsby, who is 78 years old needs a new dog to help him get around since his current dog, Alice, is set to retire. Alice who is nine and past her retirement age will have her harness removed, by the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, so that she can no longer be used as a guide dog.
When an official from the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association went to his home to assess him for a replacement Mr Gamsby was told he did not walk fast enough to be given a new dog.
He will now have to use a white stick instead to get around in his neighbourhood in Daubhill, near Bolton, Greater Manchester, pending further tests on his walking pace.
Mr Gamsby lives alone, has no children, and depends greatly on Alice who is his only companion. He suffers from a medical condition, sciatica, which causes him to have difficulty moving his leg making him walk slowly.
Mr Gamsby said: “I can’t believe I have been told I cannot a have a new guide dog because I can’t walk quickly enough. I’m not Linford Christie. I am an old man of 78 in not the greatest of health.
“A trip to the shops two streets away usually takes me ten minutes with a dog. Without one it will take me twice as long.
A spokesman for the Guide Dogs For The Blind stated “that when a guide dog approaches retirement age owners have to apply for a replacement and their suitability to have a dog is reassessed.”
The spokesman said: “Factors such as walking pace, balance and ability to care for the dog are all taken into account to ensure a guide dog is still a suitable, and safe, means of mobility aid for a client.
“In the case of Eric Gamsby the charity was unable to accept Eric for a replacement guide dog straight away due to concerns regarding his capability, and potential safety, to be a guide dog owner.” The association is trying to do everything they can to find a guide dog with a pace similar to Mr Gamsby’s. They are even looking at older dogs to see if they can match Mr. Gambsby’s slower pace.
So far they have not found a match. Wouldn’t it be nice if they could train an older rescue dog that needs a home. It can be very hard to place senior dogs, it seems that could be the perfect solution, a win-win situation.
Don’t give up! Try a different guide dog school. Guiding Eyes For The Blind does train dogs for people that have other disabilities besides their blindness. I understand why they would want to retire Alice. A guide dog can only work for a certain time before they lose some of their sharpness, and you wouldn’t want to be injured or have her become injured. You may want to give GEB a try.
If they are looking for an older dog as a replacement… why could they not use Alice? She is about to retire but has already been with him. That only makes sense to me…
I actually emailed this guide dog organization, and amazingly they immediately responded. Indy, it appears that your idea may be the solution.
Their response to my inquiry: “In an effort to meet Eric’s needs, Guide Dogs has explored the possibility of retraining a five-year-old year previously working guide dog, as this dog would have a slower walking pace than a younger dog, but that dog was still too fast and would have not been a safe match for Eric.
No decision has been made on Eric’s current guide dog’s retirement and she is still officially Eric’s working guide dog.”
Perhaps these folks will come to a good solution for the man. I hope.
Southeastern Guide Dogs in the Tampa, FL area uses smooth coat collies as guides, in addition to Labs and Goldens. The breed was chosen because they tended to move more slowly. The organization developed a program around senior citizens and their need for guides as their sight diminished. SEGD also trains guides for people with other disabilities. Each application is assessed individually.
Hi, I am a guide dog raiser in Seattle, WA. The puppy I am currently raising is named Shep. I love your blog and I love reading about other raisers’ experiences. I also have a website where I sell pet supplies and i have a blog on it also about guide dogs. I built the site to try and help raise money for guide dogs and other animal charities.