Volunteers help to foster a new generation of guide dogs

Shortfall

The latest available figures show that there were 14 million blind or visually impaired people in China in 2012, according to the website of the China Association for the Blind.

However, Liang Jia, a member of staff at the training center in Dalian, noted there are only about 170 guide dogs in active service nationwide, with no more than 15 working in Beijing.

Speaking about the shortfall, Li Weihong, chairman of the association, said, "A lack of financial support and the uneven quality of handlers has led to an embarrassing situation in guide dog training."

Wang Lin, the handler from the training center, agreed with Li.

"Training a guide dog is not easy, and the elimination rate can be as high as 70 percent. Bone growth and temperament, and the relationship between the trainer and the candidate dog are all included in the assessment process," she said.

She added that the dogs have to pass at least four tests during the training program, which lasts 12 to 18 months depending on the animal under supervision, before they are allowed to serve a visually impaired or blind person.

Wang noted that insiders are optimistic that rising public awareness will result in more people volunteering to become puppy raisers, which could, in turn, reduce the number of dogs eliminated from the training program.

However, a greater number of volunteers could also prompt problems because the puppies often experience a short period of disorientation and unhappiness when they leave the secure environment they have known for their first year of life and return to the training center.

"Many puppies lose their appetite completely when they first leave their foster family, but the problem usually disappears after two or three weeks," said Lyu Na, a coordinator at the training center.

"We recommend that puppy raisers do not visit the puppies they fostered for at least a month after they are sent back to the center," the 36-year-old said.

Bubble will celebrate her first birthday on Oct 4, which means she won't be with the Zhao family for much longer. When she returns to the center she will be assessed and a decision will be made about her suitability to undergo training as a guide dog.

"I'm really afraid that she will leave me－in fact, she definitely will leave－but it's an honor to help a puppy grow into a respected guide dog. We really believe that Bubble will pass all the tests. She will be a 'Seeing Eye angel' for her future owner," Zhao said.