[WEEKENDER] How guide dogs and humans become partners

A guide dog and its human partner must undergo a process of matching and training before they can work together effectively. Yoo Seok-jong, a guide dog instructor from Samsung Guide Dog School, explains this intricate process from personal experience. Being born with a visual impairment, Yoo now shares his life with his fifth guide dog. He uses his own journey to assist visually impaired individuals in finding a guide dog that best suits their individual needs and preferences.

During an interview at the school in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, Yoo was accompanied by Gori, a 5-year-old demonstration dog. Gori, known for her friendly and sociable nature, often introduces visitors to guide dogs and accompanies visually impaired people on trial walks. Yoo emphasizes that one of the most crucial aspects in matching a guide dog with a prospective owner is the compatibility of their walking speeds.

The human's pace must align with the dog's natural gait, as forcing either the person or the dog to adapt can prove challenging. Equally important is temperament, as both the person and the dog need to have compatible personalities to make the partnership successful.