In January, four new recruits joined our new Trainers Academy and started their 18-month journey to becoming Guide Dog Trainers. UK Guide Dogs developed the Academy model. Its more efficient use of resources enables us to train four new candidates at the same time (rather than the traditional one-on-one training method).
Once they are certified, they will each work with 10-12 dogs a year, increasing our capacity by 40-50 dogs every year. After months of theoretical instruction and lectures, our new recruits are now fully immersed in the practical aspects of guide dog training. Their hands-on experience is crucial in expanding our training programs to meet the high demand. They are currently working with guide dogs in training under close supervision, a testament to their dedication and progress.
One of the significant milestones in their training journey was the first blindfold walk with the dogs they were training. This exercise, though initially daunting, is a testament to the trust and bond being built between the trainers and their dogs. They are now six months into their training, with another year to go before they receive accreditation as Guide Dog Trainers.
In the photo, these new trainees—Ophir, Michal, Dana, and Amir