About SA GUIDE DOGS ASSOCIATION
SA Guide Dogs Association: Providing Life-Changing Assistance to the Visually Impaired
The SA Guide Dogs Association is a non-profit organization that has been providing life-changing assistance to the visually impaired for over 60 years. The organization was founded in 1953 by Gladys Evans, who was inspired by her own guide dog experience in England. Since then, the association has grown into one of South Africa's most respected and well-known charities.
The SA Guide Dogs Association provides a range of services to people with visual impairments, including guide dogs, service dogs, autism support dogs, and orientation and mobility training. These services are designed to help people with visual impairments live more independent lives and participate fully in society.
Guide Dogs
Guide dogs are specially trained to assist people with visual impairments navigate their surroundings safely. They are trained to avoid obstacles such as curbs, stairs, and traffic while guiding their handlers along a straight path. Guide dogs also provide emotional support and companionship for their handlers.
Service Dogs
Service dogs are trained to perform specific tasks for people with disabilities other than blindness or visual impairment. For example, they may be trained to alert their handler when they hear an alarm clock or doorbell ringing or retrieve items that have been dropped on the floor.
Autism Support Dogs
Autism support dogs are specially trained service animals that can help children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) cope with anxiety and sensory overload. These highly skilled animals can provide comfort during stressful situations such as social interactions or transitions between activities.
Orientation & Mobility Training
Orientation & Mobility (O&M) training teaches individuals how to travel safely and independently using various techniques such as cane travel or GPS technology. This training is essential for individuals who have lost their vision later in life or those who need additional skills beyond what a guide dog can provide.
How Does SA Guide Dogs Association Work?
The SA Guide Dogs Association relies on donations from individuals and organizations across South Africa to fund its programs. The organization receives no government funding but relies solely on private donations from generous supporters who believe in its mission of helping visually impaired individuals live more independent lives.
To ensure that its programs meet the highest standards of quality, the association employs experienced trainers who work closely with each client throughout the entire process – from initial assessment through ongoing follow-up care after placement of a guide dog or service animal.
Why Choose SA Guide Dogs Association?
There are many reasons why you should choose SA Guide Dog's Association if you're looking for assistance navigating life as someone living with blindness or visual impairment:
1) Experience: With over 60 years of experience providing assistance animals and O&M training services across South Africa.
2) Quality: The association employs experienced trainers who work closely with each client throughout every step.
3) Affordability: All services provided by this non-profit organization come at no cost.
4) Community Involvement: The association actively engages local communities through awareness campaigns about disability rights issues affecting blind persons.
5) Impactful Results: Many clients report significant improvements in independence levels after receiving assistance from this charity.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, if you're looking for an organization that provides high-quality assistance animals like guide dogs ,service animals like Autism Support Dog ,and Orientation & Mobility Training Services then look no further than SA GUIDE DOGS ASSOCIATION . With over six decades' worth of experience serving visually impaired persons across South Africa ,this non-profit charity is committed not only towards improving individual lives but also raising awareness about disability rights issues affecting blind persons within local communities .
guidedog.org.za