National Party Leader Christopher Luxon visited the Blind Low Vision NZ guide dog training center.
Photo: RNZ / Luka Forman
National Party leader Christopher Luxon and deputy leader Nicola Willis were offered a trip through an advanced guide dog training center today.
Blind Low Vision NZ president John Malka strolled them through the center that makes usage of real-life situations to train the dogs, such as mock escalators, buses and trains and aeroplanes.
The complex is among just 2 on the planet to use specialised training for guide dogs and their handlers in one location, with real life training examples.
Malka said this assisted to prepare the dogs for the diversions they will experience in the real life.
“When you have a guide dog, or you’re a white walking stick user, there’s not a clear course, there’s constantly blockages, there’s constantly things taking place.”
Each room likewise had a speaker prepared to play background sound to mimic the genuine thing.
National Party leader Christopher Luxon and deputy leader Nicola Willis trip simulators at the guide dog training center.
Photo: RNZ / Luka Forman
One guide dog fitness instructor said the environment assisted the dogs identify essential hints, such as the noise of a walk light.
“It’s great we have this environment for them to in fact practice that, without public disturbance, so it’s actually valuable.”
Luxon was impressed by what he saw.
“They’ve developed a wonderful simulation workout center here, so we have actually seen dogs fluctuate escalators, we have actually seen them get on board aeroplanes… it’s great, it’s been a genuine opportunity to be here.”
“It’s fantastic when you see New Zealanders like this… extraordinary kiwis doing fantastic things, devoted to the task of in fact training guide dogs to help their fellow kiwis.”
Each year, Blind Low Vision NZ breed around 100 guide dogs, of which just around 40 will make it.
There are presently 180,000 New Zealanders who are blind, deaf-blind or have low vision.
It is anticipated that due to the aging population this number will increase to 225,000 by 2028.
