The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Working Dogs & Their Trainers
Guide Dogs for the Blind, an organization that utilizes volunteers to raise working dogs for those in need, has had its fair share of struggles throughout the pandemic.
It’s no secret that the COVID-19 pandemic, stay-home orders, and social distancing have made an impact on the lives of all Americans- but what about the changes and drawbacks that volunteer and charity organizations have gone through? Alison Bayard, who has been a part of the Guide Dogs for the Blind Organization for over ten years, shared with me via Zoom how this vital program has struggled to pair working dogs with people in need.
Q: How long have you been involved in Guide Dogs For the Blind?
Nine years. I started when I was ten, and have raised six dogs. Their names were Wes, Jones, Julliard, Lundy, Tormund, and Colfax. Colfax actually just went back for his final training and is going through the evaluation process- starting with if he is healthy. Things like hip dysplasia, eyesight, etc. If he passes the health check, he will go through 7 more phases of training, and the dogs get to work with potential partners. Through this process, they are able to match dogs to the owner who fits them best- things like stride, temperament, etc.”
“The dogs aren’t allowed to socialize or partake in the part of their training that involves going to public places like stores, schools, work, etc.”
Q: Is Colfax the only dog who is going through training during the pandemic? How has Colfax’s training been different from your other dogs?
Yes, he is. The dogs aren’t allowed to socialize or partake in the part of their training that involves going to public places like stores, schools, work, etc. The breeding and training sights have only recently opened back up. While they were closed, there were no more puppies getting put out and the dogs that were supposed to be put into training had to wait- meaning they have formed more attachments to their trainers and families they stay with. We don’t know yet how that is going to affect the dogs full training- specifically kennel life. They don’t have the same social interactions in the kennels as they do in the home. I think this might create more separation anxiety within these dogs, and these attachments could make a difference in if a dog passes or fails.
Q: What kind of changes do you expect to see in this upcoming graduating class of dogs? If all of them were with their families for an additional year, and they are now being brought back to training, do you believe that extra time training would make them better or worse than the dogs in the past?
I think it depends on the dog. In my experience, a lot of the time it depends on if the dog has what it takes. For example, my first dog Wes didn’t pass. That didn’t mean he wasn’t a good dog or good in training, he was just a bit too anxious and jumpy. If they don’t pass the final phases, the dog is evaluated for other organizations- like Dogs for Diabetics, Blind Companions(which is for children), and Canine Companions Institution. We call this a career change. Some dogs, though, are just meant to be pets, which is totally okay too.
“The breeding program was shut down, and it’s only starting back up now.”
Q: Was breeding also stopped this past year due to the pandemic? Will there be a shortage of working dogs in the months to come?
Probably, yeah. There will be a shortage. It might take a lot longer for clients to be partnered than usual- just because there won’t be enough dogs. The breeding program was shut down, and it’s only starting back up now. It takes a while to pop puppies out.
Q: When do you think the program will be able to function as it did before? I understand how these things take time, but programs like this are valuable to a lot of people.
I believe things will be functioning as they once did starting in 2022. The dogs can go towards breeders for the program too, if this large class of dogs returning to the training centers are less successful than other classes. These dogs chosen as breeders will help fill the gap in working dogs that we will probably see in 2021.
Q: Thank you for your insight, and I’m happy to hear the program is soon to operate as efficiently as it has in past years. Will you be raising more guide dogs in years to come?
Hopefully, when it works with my schedule and I’m able to do both again. It’s hard to find jobs that are okay with you having a dog around a lot, and people seem to forget social distancing when they see a puppy. I think after this long break of training and breeding puppies, the extra hands will be needed to raise them, and I am happy to be a part of it.
