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Edition 37 | November 2018
vi•sion•ar•y (vizh’n-eri || -erri) adj. 1. Characterised by vision or foresight
IGDF Seminar 2018 in Sydney
A great success
Merran celebrates
50 years with Guide Dogs
A huge milestone – 50 years of independence
Registered in England Company No 2376162
IGDF UK Australia | Guide Dogs Victoria
Registered Charity No 1062441
Message from
Contents the Chair
First and foremost, membership of the IGDF 3 Message from the Chair
Paul Metcalf
enables Guide Dog Schools around the world to 4 IGDF Assessments Paul Metcalf - Guide Dog Manager
join a community dedicated to serving the visually 4 IGDF In The Sunlight
Guide Dogs Victoria, Australia
impaired. That community needs and wants to Bob Proesmans
Hello everyone
share its knowledge and the IGDF facilitates that. 5 2018 IGDF Seminar In Sydney
A Great Success As we look back on 2018, the highlight
Paul Adrian of the guide dog calendar for many
The map below outlines the contributing will, undoubtedly, be the biennial IGDF
6 IGDF 2018 Seminar Photos Seminar which took place in Sydney
countries for this edition of Visionary. during September.
8 Accessibility Is A Common Issue
Kazumasa Oda On behalf of the international guide dog thank the many people who keep the
community, I would like to thank and work of the International Guide Dog
9 There Is Life After The Seminar Federation moving and, importantly,
congratulate Guide Dogs NSW / ACT
Minna Leppälä relevant to the needs of today. This
for planning and hosting what was an
incredibly successful and informative would include Jen Burford (IGDF Office
9 Breeders Workshop 2018
Caroline Moeser event. Manager), IGDF Board sub-committees
and their teams and, of course, my
10 Down Time Important During I would also thank and congratulate fellow IGDF Board members.
IGDF Conference the many presenters for their efforts
Sebastian McPherson and commitment to sharing their I would also acknowledge our growing
thoughts, experiences and learning number of member organisations and
10 Reflections On Sydney their staff around the world – without
Ben Cawley with colleagues and peers from around
the world. whom, there would be no IGDF, and
11 Merran Celebrates 50 Years certainly not the level service and
With Guide Dogs In order to ensure continuous support for our many thousands
Zoe Polacik improvement on this important of clients who achieve their own
event, the IGDF Board would welcome independence through the guide dogs
feedback from anyone involved in we provide.
this year’s Seminar – whether you
presented, attended or helped in the Finally, on behalf of the IGDF Board and
planning, please do let us know what our representatives at all levels, I close
you enjoyed, what you feel could be with very best wishes for the upcoming
improved or, perhaps, anything you festive season and a happy, healthy
believe could be added to enhance the and successful new year to you all.
experience further. Please forward any
comments through the IGDF Office. Kind regards,
As we approach the end of another Paul Metcalf
year, I would like to acknowledge and IGDF Chair
Disclaimer
Whilst the International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF) retains editorial right to all articles
presented within the Visionary, accuracy of specific detail and figures quoted are as provided by
the author and their supporting organisation.
The IGDF, whilst welcoming feedback on content, will not enter into any dialogue relating to
perceived inaccuracies in these areas.
Hillfields, Burghfield Common, Reading
Berkshire RG7 3YG United Kingdom
www.igdf.org.uk
2 | the Visionary | IGDF Issue 37 | November 18 | 3
IGDF COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE Australia | Guide Dogs NSW/ACT Australia | Guide Dogs NSW/ACT
IGDF IGDF In The Sunlight 2018 IGDF Seminar In Sydney A Great Success
Assessments
Congratulations our
newest members on the day prior to the seminar as the with a lot more to come in the future
Bob Proesmans Paul Adrian - Guide Dogs Services Manager
Centre staff very proudly showed off that will positively contribute to the
to the IGDF: Guide Dogs NSW/ACT, Australia
the new puppy enrichment area and lives of our clients.
• Œuvre Fédérale Les Amis des their web portal for Puppy Raisers,
The biennial seminar is a successful Hosting the 2018 International Guide There are numerous other sessions
Aveugles et Malvoyants ‘Puppy Central’. The opportunity to see
IGDF event that is very much appreciated Dog Federation Seminar, and the that could be mentioned for their
other schools in operation is always
by its attendees. Not only the Breeders Workshop that followed, presentation of thought provoking and
popular with delegates but is equally
Congratulations to presentations and contributions are was a massive undertaking for Guide valuable to hosts as they engage in
inspiring material. It is important that
we embrace some of these ideas quickly
the following extremely valuable to the business, Dogs NSW/ACT. The responsibility for discussion with others about processes before we are engulfed in the normal
but even more so are the contacts hosting delegates from around the and initiatives in various other parts of
organisations which that are made during the seminar. world and ensuring they had a rich the world.
everyday pressures of our jobs. It is
very easy to be inspired in the moment
passed their five year There is a great sense of collaboration and rewarding experience weighed
The seminar itself proved to be an and then not be able to follow through
heavily on the organising team.
and friendship, as we all share the
assessment: same problems, challenges, rewarding
Communication with the IGDF office inspiring event. Each seminar seems on new ideas. Our hope at Guide Dogs
flowed thick and fast as last minute to set a new standard in presentations NSW/ACT is that every participant
• Ecole de Chiens-Guides Centre moments and commitments, with only DC member), Jen Burford (IGDF Office and Sydney proved likewise. A standout travelled home with at least one new
arrangements and final details were
Aliénor, France one goal: help people with a visual Manager) and myself – Bob Proesmans had to be the presentations by Elinor idea that they will implement that
managed as the event drew near. And
impairment. (IGDF DC member) took advantage Karlsson, Assistant Professor, University makes their program more successful.
then all of a sudden the event was
• Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind of the beautiful sunset to give rise to upon us! of Massachusetts Medical School and
This shared commitment can bring out The staff of Guide Dogs NSW/ACT
Inc, USA this special photo with 4 letters. I can the Broad Institute of Harvard and would like to thank all of the delegates
the best in us, and so both before and In the end 290 delegates from all corners
assure you we had great fun trying to MIT. Her presentations were perfectly for attending and making the event
• Guide Dogs SA/NT, Australia after the conference, we seem to enjoy of the globe converged on Sydney for
make a good picture! pitched to be understandable by all such a success. In particular we extend
doing other things together. the seminar. Not surprisingly there
and really alerted us to the huge our appreciation to the organising
• Stiftung Schweizerische Schule für was a large contingent of Australians
This year wasn’t any different, and The impact that genomics will have on committees and the IGDF office for
Blindenführhunde, Switzerland and New Zealanders but also many
Blue Mountains were the perfect place our programs in the relatively near working so hard to make the Guide Dog
delegates who braved long flights from
to do this. Caroline Moeser, our local future. Equally important was the Centre tours, the 2018 IGDF Seminar
The following GD NSW/ACT host, guided us through
Europe, North America and other parts
plenary session from Ben Cawley and and the Breeders Workshop such
of the world to attend.
organisation has been this wonderful part of Australia. Thomas Panek focused on emerging successful events. We look forward to
More than 100 delegates enjoyed the technologies. There are so many seeing you all again in Prague 2020!
accepted as an Applicant Caroline, Ivana Merryman Boncori (IGDF
Guide Dogs NSW/ACT facility tours exciting developments in this space
Organisation:
• Body Klub, Slovakia.
The following
organisations have been
accepted as Enquiring
Organisations:
• Alertalegria - Associação de Caes de
Assistencia Internacional, Portugal
• Instituto Magnus, Brazil
• Order of Regular Clerks Ministers to
the Sick, Georgia
• Thailand Government Guide Dogs
for Persons with Visual Disabilities
Project, Thailand
Please note there are additional
organisations being processed.
4 | the Visionary | IGDF Issue 37 | November 18 | 5
IGDF 2018 Seminar - Sydney, Australia 6 | the Visionary | IGDF
Japan Guide Dog Association | Japan Guide Dogs NSW/ACT | Australia Finland | NouHaun Opaskoirapalvelu
Accessibility Is 5TH INTERNATIONAL There Is Life
CLICKER SEMINAR:
A Common “Clicker Training in After The
Issue Guide Dog Programs”
Seminar
Presented By
Kazumasa Oda Minna Leppälä - Director/GDMI
Japan Guide Dog Association, Japan NouHaun Opaskoirapalvelu, Finland
At Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB), we believe maximizing positive reinforcement through Clicker Training is
Panel Discussions are one of the new the key to our success and has become more of a standard dog training philosophy internationally. When I decided to start running my
styles that has been adopted into In 2004, GDB fully integrated Clicker Training methods into all aspects of our formal guidework training
program. Now in 2018, we have continued to find additional ways to maximize positive reinforcement own Guide dog school in 2008, applying
through Clicker Training in a number of ways across many of our programs, including formal guide dog
the IGDF seminar since Hvar. One of training, client handling, puppy development, and husbandry/veterinary practices. for the IGDF membership was self-
them at Sydney was titled ‘Access: “A Special Guest Speaker: Michele Pouliot evident. It just took almost ten years to
We are pleased to have internationally-recognized Clicker Training and guide dog training expert, Michele
Question of Access”’ and Sam Tawada, Pouliot, join us for the last day of the conference to share her extensive expertise! get it.
Japan Guide Dog Assoication, had the Seminar Dates: September 23-27, 2019
Participation in this year’s IGDF
Location: The California, USA Campus of Guide Dogs for the Blind
honor to participate as a panelist. Cost, per person (US$): seminar was a culmination of so much
Topics such as ‘how are guide dogs $1,000—working spot work and effort and one had to wonder
$600—auditing spot
accepted in society’ and ‘is there any what comes next. Having had some
refusal of entry’ were brought up to Seminar Fee Includes:
• Presentations, demonstrations
Topics Include:
• Motivating staff and volunteers for major change time to think about it I realized this
• Hands-on practice for working spots • Transitioning traditional trainers to Clicker Training
open up discussions. • Technique guidelines and program information • Food reward use—conquering challenges that was a new beginning, not the end.
• Lunch each day of the conference impact guide dog work
• Formal guide dog training—training guide dog
Many country representatives have behaviors I learned a lot, got many new ideas
• Client use of positive reinforcement techniques
said that they face similar problems • Puppy development application
but the most important thing was the cooperate to have a valid breeding with the impression that being an
and it was emphasized that we need REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN! people I had the honour of meeting. programme. I wholeheartedly agree. IGDF member can and will benefit
to work together to enhance proper For more information or to register, visit: www.guidedogs.com/clicker
People from organizations of every size organizations of every size. The way to
understanding of guide dogs and the
If you have difficulties registering, please contact us by email at: information@guidedogs.com
sharing the same passion to create Also the necessity of gathering reliable
show our appreciation of all the help
visually impaired. the best guide dogs and also help each and comparable data to which breeding
our organizarion has received is to
other to do the same world wide. decisions can be based on was made
Someone mentioned that gaining our dogs using public transportation persons. The result showed that most cooperate with others. It makes all of
quite clear. IWDR enables us to gather,
accessibility is not just about changing and public facilities more smoothly, people showed understanding towards The biggest challenge for a small us bigger, better and stronger.
utilize and share that data. This is a
laws and the social system but it’s also and we hope that it will lead to stronger assistance dogs yet many thought school is to find or breed proper dog
most exciting prospect! Thank you for all who made this
about guide dog user’s motivation to go interest and understanding towards that visually impaired persons were to train. This cannot be done alone.
possible!
out. guide dogs and visually impaired incapable of taking care of their guide Many presentations made it clear that All of the events I participated
persons. dogs on their own. The audience especially small schools will have to in were inspirational and left me
In addition, we found out that in some
countries, puppies and training dogs Mika Ambo from our promotion valued her study and was interested in
had similar access rights. We were
encouraged that by showing such
department gave a poster presentation
titled, ‘How does our Society see Guide
her conclusion that this type of wrong
image towards visually impaired Breeders
examples, we may be able to gain
accessibility for puppies and training
Dogs.’ She did a survey asking over
300 people about their opinion on
persons may be related to acceptance
of guide dogs in society. Workshop
dogs in Japan as well. We want to train assistance dogs and visually impaired
2018
Caroline Moeser - Director/GDMI
Guide Dogs NSW/ACT, Australia
The Breeders Workshop 2018 was held
in September at the Crowne Plaza in
the Hawkesbury region of Sydney.
Guide Dogs NSW/ACT, were flattered
to be asked to host this event and
Of the 38 schools in attendance, 47% genomics. Consistency in diagnosis
thrilled by the amount of interest that
are now collecting BCL data, 29% and sharing of data were the key
it created.
utilizing the IWDR to store and report underlying themes of the conference.
Sixty-nine delegates from 18 countries on that data, and 29% are storing or
It was such a pleasure to host this
were in attendance. These delegates analyzing DNA on their dogs. This
event and feel the energy in the
were members of 38 Guide and large number of breeders gathering
room created by so many interesting
Assistance dog schools, 3 University BCL data and sharing it via the IWDR
discussions. To have a vast array of
or Research groups and one company platform forms a great foundation for
local and international experts willing
specializing in Reproduction. future collaboration as we enter the
to share their knowledge is a credit to
exciting world of genomics.
Not only did the workshop provide the Guide Dog industry. The influence
the opportunity to catch up with old The presentations included of genomics and collaboration in this
friends and meet new ones, it also information on health and behavioural space provides a very exciting future
enabled us to share information. concerns, genetic testing and for us all.
8 | the Visionary | IGDF Issue 37 | November 18 | 9
Leader Dogs for the Blind | USA USA | Guiding Eyes for the Blind Tasmania | Guide Dogs
Down Time Reflections On Sydney Merran Celebrates 50 Years With Guide Dogs
Important During
IGDF Conference
Ben Cawley - Director of Admissions and with the community. As I write this, “Boyd was my ticket to independence
Sebastian McPherson Zoe Polacik
Graduate Services I’m preparing to share his presentation and freedom, and allowed me to work,
Leader Dogs for the Blind, USA Guide Dogs, Tasmania
Guiding Eyes for the Blind, USA
with the staff of Guiding Eyes for the travel, go on holidays, meet new people,
Blind in New York. and simply be able to do the things I
I have been lucky to attend IGDF How do you make a trip of a lifetime Australian Guide Dog handler Merran
wanted. Getting a Guide Dog is like
Conferences several times during my to Sydney, Australia even more Miki Asano of Kansai Guide Dog for the Thurley this year celebrated a huge
getting your licence to drive a car. It’s
34-year career. The 2012 conference memorable? Add hundreds of Blind Association, Japan, inspired me milestone – 50 years of independence,
the same sense of freedom.”
in Paris is where I witnessed how far passionate colleagues and thought- to bring exciting new ideas in kennel mobility and freedom thanks to the
positive reinforcement training had leaders in the guide dog industry, and design back to my co-workers. On ongoing assistance of Guide Dogs. After Boyd, Merran was hooked on the
progressed since the 1990s, and the you’ll come back super-charged. the technology front, Noelle Poidras lifestyle that a Guide Dog provided. Over
The 67-year-old from northern
incredible possibilities is presented for of Fondation VISIO, France, with her the next five decades, she welcomed
After an amazing experience in Hvar, Tasmania was born with congenital
both dog and client training. This year presentation on her important work Guide Dogs Tony, Monty, Shannon, Leo,
Croatia in 2016, Sydney was my second cataracts and glaucoma and was
I gained some new ideas on working in education and advancement of Buffy, Ida and Jacob into her life. With
opportunity to attend an IGDF Seminar, completely blind by the age of 14. At
with dogs that want to “curl” in front of electronic travel aides energized me assistance from Guide Dogs Tasmania,
and it did not disappoint. Kudos to the just 17 years of age, she started training
you when heeling. Overall, there have return home and find ways to focus she had no more than a month or two
IGDF organizing committees and all with her first Guide Dog - a big, lovable
been many useful presentations and I more energy in this important global between each dog.
staff of Guide Dogs NSW/ACT for your Golden Retriever called Boyd.
came away with new tips and ideas. conversation.
impressive efforts pulling together But as Merran became a more
As a young woman who was completely
However, I find that the times before, such a wonderful seminar. Thomas Panek and I were honored experienced handler, she realised that
new to using a Guide Dog as a mobility
between and after the scheduled to have the opportunity to present forming a new partnership with each
Meeting international colleagues tool, Merran was extremely nervous.
presentations are equally important. on technology’s emerging role in incoming Guide Dog never actually got
who share the passion for providing She had no idea what her future would
This is when you make new connections any easier.
enhanced independence through guide enhancing guide dog mobility. I’m look like, and she certainly didn’t know
and rekindle old friendships, share appreciative of all the support in “Each dog is different, and the way they
dog travel has been a rejuvenating and the impact that this dog would have on
training stories and get input from developing this presentation and look handle is different. It’s a new situation,
energizing experience throughout my her entire life.
people who understand the challenges a new team, and you’ve got to put that
career. There’s a certain camaraderie forward to working collaboratively with
we all face every day. But like anything new, Merran team together. I’ve always said it takes
and intrinsic bond among those of those who have expressed interested
eventually picked it up, and it was the a good 12 months to put a good team
To watch like-minded people from us in the guide dog industry that in participating in the conversation
simple things she could do with Boyd together and to get it to work well.”
many countries come together to makes even a first handshake feel around this exciting space. In hope
that she got the most satisfaction
help each other in our mutual goal of like a reconnection with a long-lost of building on the momentum And just as challenging as it’s been to
from. Living in busy Melbourne at
training the best guide dogs possible is friend. The enthusiasm is electric and following our presentation, Tom and start a new partnership, ending one is
the time, things like going out for a
a wonderful experience. At Leader Dogs contagious; I leave more excited for our I have created an online group where no different. before him, he’s been perfectly matched
lunchtime stroll, meeting friends, or
for the Blind we believe that sharing work because of the experience. researchers and guide dog school to suit Merran’s current lifestyle.
simply buying herself something nice Earlier this year, it was 10-year-old
our experiences and knowledge with professionals working in this space
Personal highlights from the seminar for lunch were all now possible. Ida, a golden Labrador, who hung up “I couldn’t believe my luck with him.
others is a benefit to our organization can collaborate and share ideas. Please
include all the opportunities to her harness for the final time. She had He’s the sort of dog that wants to come
and makes our industry stronger. let me know if you are interested in
socialize, collaborate, and experience provided Merran with eight years of along at a stroll rather than a run,
So, if you ever get the chance to attend joining. which is perfect for my needs now.”
beautiful Sydney alongside such a faithful service and it was time to say
an IGDF Conference, jump on it…but passionate group of individuals. I From opportunities to learn to goodbye. Looking back at the nervous teenager
make sure you stick around for the found the seminar to be the perfect interactions with friends old and “It’s one of the hardest things you’ll that she was 50 years ago, Merran
good parts. antidote to “Compassion Fatigue,” and new, one takeaway is clear: you can ever have to do as a Guide Dog handler. knows her life could have turned out
I’m thankful to Dan Casey of Vision count on me attending the 2020 IGDF The day comes and you have to say totally different if it wasn’t for the risk
Australia for sharing his wonderful Seminar in beautiful Prague, and I ‘Sorry, you can’t come anymore’.” – or opportunity, as she now considers
presentation on this important topic highly recommend you join me there! it– that she’d taken with Boyd.
It’s often the slight changes in behavior
or ability to carry out basic tasks that “If I didn’t have a Guide Dog, I think my
Merran notices in a dog when their final life would look much different. With a
months of guiding are approaching: Guide Dog, I can make a decision in the
“It’s when things start to tune out a morning to do something, and actually
bit and they’re getting a bit slower and go and do it. If I didn’t have a Guide
maybe not hearing or seeing you as Dog, maybe I wouldn’t do it…maybe
well.” I wouldn’t want to. A Guide Dog gives
me choice.”
But each time she’s gone through the
emotional journey of retiring a Guide
Dog, the excitement of starting it all
over again was far too tempting. This
year, it was Guide Dog Jacob who took
over Ida’s role, and like all Guide Dogs
10 | the Visionary | IGDF Issue 37 | November 18 | 11
Edition 36 | July 2018
The next deadline
for Visionary
submissions is vi•sion•ar•y (vizh’n-eri || -erri) adj. 1.
Characterised by vision or foresight
1st February 2019 To Being Assessed
Special Feature:
New Technologies
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IGDF Seminar 2018
Meet the Accreditation Committee
What the Accreditation Committee
does and who they are.
Hillfields, Burghfield Common, Reading, Berkshire, RG7 3YG, United Kingdom.
t +44 (0)118 983 8356 f +44 (0)118 983 8197 e enquiries@igdf.org.uk www.igdf.org.uk
Registered in England Company No 2376162 Registered Charity No 1062441
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