Being assigned a guide dog isn’t as simple as being added to a waiting list until one becomes available. There is a thorough process that the guide dog and potential owner must go through, as Fran explains. “The process with certain assistance dogs is different whether that be a hearing dog, medical detection dog or a guide dog. The first step in the process is for the blind or partially sighted person to be assessed by a Guide Dog Mobility Instructor (GDMI) to see if they meet the criteria. They need to have the right amount of orientation, know their local routes and have the mobility skills to walk their routes independently. I was assessed on a walk into town using my long cane and approved to be added to the ‘ready to match’ waiting list. When Guide Dogs look at matching a dog with a person on the ‘ready to match list’ it isn’t like other waiting lists as the person at the top might have mobility and lifestyle needs that mean that specific dog is not suitable for them but is for someone else on the list. All proposed matches are put before a technical panel of guide dog staff before the matching visit takes place.” 

After 18 months on the list, Fran’s GDMI called to say a potential match had been found. They set up a matching visit with Sean and his trainer, which took place at Fran’s home. They talked about his health and temperament and then did a harness walk with Sean to see if Fran matched the dog’s speed – another important factor in the matching process. Fran said, “It’s hard to describe the feeling I had on my matching walk with Sean other than to say it just felt right and as my GDMI said, rather than looking down trying to be invisible, I was now holding my head up high with him. Sometimes, as part of the visit, a dog will stay for a few hours or overnight so you can get to know each other before the match is agreed. However, me and Sean were matched shortly after arriving home from the walk. It was big yes for everyone!”

The match had been made and after a relaxing Christmas spent with his volunteer foster family, it was time for Sean and Fran to start their training. Guide dog training takes place at a hotel for the first two weeks in a group setting with other potential partnerships where you learn core skills to work and take care of your guide dog, learning new routes, cooperative care behaviours and have one on one time getting to know each other. Fran told us, “The first few weeks were a rollercoaster. The matching stage was exciting then the reality of how much your life is going to change hits when you arrive to begin training. I remember shortly after arriving I broke down, said I couldn’t do it and wanted to go home. The change was overwhelming, having to live in an unfamiliar environment away from family and put all my trust in this dog I didn’t really know. Slowly, our bond developed and we progressed well. When we got home the reality of how much responsibility taking care of a working dog hit me. Sleeping past 7am was a no-go even on weekends. He also had bad separation anxiety early on even when leaving him in a separate room – a few tv controls and glasses cases were destroyed in the process! I think having a routine from the time he has breakfast to bedtime helped us both settle into the partnership.”

Fran and Sean qualified as a partnership in February 2018, and the difference Sean has made to Fran’s life is incredible. Fran said, “Before Sean, I was ignoring calls from friends who I had planned to go away with for the weekend because mentally, I couldn’t bring myself to walk out the door. But not now. Sean helps me with everything. He helps me get to and from work, navigate inside the workplace or at any events and do my job. He helps me travel locally and across the country to visit friends and family or attend hospital appointments, navigate busy train stations, shops and cross roads safely. Sean helps me to thrive and drives me to step out of my comfort zone in all aspects of life. He literally is my left arm I’d be lost without him.”

Although training for a partnership never really stops, Sean does get to be like other dogs when not in work mode. Fran explained, “When guide dogs do not have their harness on, they are like any other pet dog, just a very well-trained one and a big part of the family. At home, he is free to wander, snooze and play but as part of his training, it’s good to have boundaries in place. Guide dogs are taken on free runs from 12 weeks old which allows them to run around off lead in a secure environment, so a field or trail away from traffic. I take Sean for a free run at least once a week. When I go on holiday or have events in environments where Sean wouldn’t be comfortable with like loud music, lots of children or lying down for long periods of time, he will stay with trusted family, friends or puppy raisers who are volunteers with Guide Dogs. Sean often goes to a fantastic puppy raiser in St Annes for his own holiday and is joined by other guide dogs on their holiday or puppies in training.”

At the age of seven, Sean is now classed as an ‘older dog’ and as part of their annual aftercare visit, Fran and her GDMI will consider if and when Sean will be put on the retirement pathway. Fran said, “Each guide dog is different in terms of when they retire. It could be six years old or eleven years old. It always has to follow the principle ‘in the best interest of the dog’. However, despite some concerns about his joints resolved with medication I hope and believe Sean will reach the max age guide dogs can work until which is 10/11 years old.” She continued, “When the decision is being made for him to retire, consideration will be given first to if I am in a position to keep him whilst also starting a partnership with a new dog. Although retired, Sean will still need the care, exercise and enrichment he is used to and if I can’t offer that, it may be in his best interest to live with a close family member or friend. This may include guide volunteers involved in Sean’s journey so his puppy raiser, foster family or trainer. In cases where none of the above options are feasible, it may be that he is rehomed with a new family. It’s always in the back of your mind that retirement is inevitable and the thought of losing him twice – once when he retires and then when he passes – is unthinkable but it is the price we pay for that unconditional love and bond over the years.”