The organization I selected was the Southeastern Guide Dogs Facility. This
organization offers guide dog services to veterans, those with disabilities, and
children who may need extra help. There is a long process when trying to
match guide dogs to the new handler however, there are several people who
work together to make the transition easier. There are professional instructors
that teach the handlers how to work with their animals. The instructor works
to learn how the animal can best assist a person. Similar to the steps in the
helping process, instructors must build a foundation and analyze their client’s
needs. Through this examination, the instructor is able to devise a plan on how
to teach the handler the most effective and beneficial ways to work with the
dog. The instructor has several roles when working with the client and animal:
They may talk to a dog trainer or office manager to obtain more information
on the client.
The instructor also has the ability to assess the safety of a client’s home for the
animal.
The instructor may also need to help a client become mobile or physically able
to receive help from the animal. b
Taking the time and following these steps have allowed the instructor to
understand how they can benefit their client and make them feel comfortable.
This process follows the helping process by listening to the requirements of
the client, learning how they behave, discovering their abilities, and reaching
their set goals (Woodside, 2018). Similar to most human service careers,
being a professional partner instructor for handlers and animals involves
working with several people to devise a plan, following a specific procedure,
and always aiming to help others.
Resources
Woodside, M. R., & McClam, T. (2018). An Introduction to Human Services
(9th ed.). Cengage Learning US.
https://mbsdirect.vitalsource.com/books/9781337671262
