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Guide Dogs of Texas,
Inc.
The Best Dogs in Sight
CLICK FOR TEXT ONLY.
The mission of Guide Dogs of Texas, Inc., Inc.
(GDTx) is to provide guide dogs for Texans, who are visually impaired, to
improve their mobility and independence.
San Antonio based Guide Dogs of Texas, Inc.
compliments the fine services offered by national schools by providing a
regional alternative. GDTx is a non-profit organization dedicated to
providing mobility and independence to Texans who are visually impaired.
The school excels in providing high-quality, personal one-on-one training
and ongoing support after graduation.
Anyone residing in Texas, who is interested in a guide
dog, goes through a simple application procedure. It is not necessary to be
totally blind. Many guide dog users have some useful residual vision. Each
applicant needs to have had training using a long cane and be sufficiently
mobile to work effectively with a dog.
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Don't forget to order flowers for
the holidays! Your gift will also help GDTx provide quality guide dogs to
Texans who are visually impaired.
The weather is getting warmer! Stay cool (Be
Cool!) in a Guide Dogs of Texas T-Shirt!
Click HERE to order a
T-Shirt and see other merchandise we offer. All sales
benefit GDOT.
 
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 Once a client is accepted, a careful analysis is
made of what type of dog would be suited for them. When the training staff
feels an appropriate dog is ready a "matching visit" is scheduled. The
matching visit gives the client, their family and any of their pets an
opportunity to meet the dog before the client begins training. After this,
the client and the dog can begin their training class. During class, the
client is shown how the dog has been trained to work, how to communicate
with their dog, how to take care of it and how to overcome potential
problems. The cost of receiving a fully trained guide dog from GDTx is $1.
 Once the client gets home with their dog, the
instructor will help them get settled in and begin to work with them on
routes they use in their community. Aftercare, both for the regular annual
visits and emergencies, and for any additional help that is requested, is
available for all clients.
So what does a guide dog do? A guide dog is
trained to lead its owner in a straight line, avoiding ground obstacles,
overhead obstacles and obstacles on either side. The dog is trained to
stop at curbs, at stairs, and to locate familiar doorways. The dog will
maintain a straight line when crossing a road, thereby reducing time in
the street, but will not decide when it is safe to cross. Making the
judgment as to when it is safe to cross a road with a guide dog is
identical to making that judgment when using a long cane and is the sole
responsibility of the client. Using a guide dog is a partnership and
while the dog can recognize environmental clues such as a curb edge, the
handler decides where to go and keeps the dog working correctly. When
used properly, the guide dog offers a unique, safe, and effective form
of mobility.
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In addition to being a mobility aid, a guide dog
can offer a new sense of freedom and connection with the community.
Working in various environments with a dog builds a sense of confidence
and independence.
The
key to a successful working team is the right match between dog and
handler. Rather than training people on a first-come, first-serve basis,
GDTx carefully assesses the strengths and weaknesses of each dog and
client. Speed of walking, working environments, distances of routes, and
dog and client personalities are some of the many considerations used to
make a match.
The small size of the organization
allows a flexible and personal approach. Clients who cannot leave
their job or family for a full four-week course can take advantage
of partial or full training at their homes.
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 Classes are run by dedicated, energetic staff and
are very small, with one or two clients training at a time. The small
class size allows instructors the ability to address the individual needs
and concerns of each client. The training program focuses on a unique
philosophy of complete client care. Each team is advised, supported, and
monitored not only during training but also throughout the lifetime of the
dog. This on-going care promotes happy, relaxed, and confident teams.
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