Opinions by People with Vision Impairment about Wanting or Not Wanting Guide Dogs

Guide dog users have reported the benefits of guide dogs not only in terms of mobility, but also psychosocially (Lloyd, La Grow, Stafford, & Budge, 2008; Steffens & Bergler, 1998). Similarly, a retrospective study showed that quality of life (QOL) was higher when using a guide dog compared to using a cane (Ishigami & Tokuda, 2005a). In Japan, the Research Committee on Guide Dogs (2000) found that 92% of Japanese guide dog users were also satisfied with their dogs.

In Japan the social environment for guide dog use has improved over the last decade. For example, in 2001, the Welfare of Physically Disabled Persons Act was introduced, and the guide dog raising service was classed as social welfare work. In 2002, the Assistance Dogs for Physically Disabled Persons Act was passed and the access rights of guide dog users were guaranteed. The Act was revised in 2008 and a Consultation Bureau for Admittance of Guide Dogs was initiated. Throughout Japan, the Bureau promotes accessibility of assistance dogs in public places (Koda & Shimoju, 2008; Matsunaka & Koda, 2008). In 2007, Japan ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Over the past decade in Japan the number of guide dogs has increased gradually, and the balance of supply and demand has improved. In 2010, 1,073 guide dogs were working in Japan (The National Federation of All Japan Guide Dog Training Institutions, 2010). In addition, the number of people with vision impairment who wanted guide dogs or were interested in guide dog use exceeded the number of available guide dogs several times (Research Committee on Guide Dogs, 2000). Consequently, Japanese Guide Dog Associations have focused on increasing the number of guide dogs and enriching the follow-up care of users, but have not actively sought new users because of the shortage of guide dogs. However, today, the system has improved and the waiting time from application to receiving a guide dog has been significantly shortened.

Despite the increase in guide dogs in Japan the majority of potential candidates as guide dog users did not apply for guide dogs (The National Federation of All Japan Guide Dog Training Institutions, 2010). Some reasons for the lack of applications from potential guide dog users might include first, mass media glorifying guide dogs with little practical information being provided about the dogs day-to-day function as a guide dog (Ishigami, Shimomura, & Tokuda, 2002; Shimomura, Ishigami, & Tokuda, 2001). As a result of the lack of information, people might find it difficult to understand the ways in which a guide dog could be usefully integrated into their day-to-day life. Second, potential guide dog users might not understand the guide dogs’ skill set or the ways that a guide dog could benefit their mobility (Ishigami & Tokuda, 2005b). Third, Japanese people express significant concerns about dog cleanliness which might deter people from applying for a guide dog (Koda, Kubo, Ishigami, & Furuhashi, 2011; Lloyd et al., 1998).

To enhance guide dog services in Japan, Guide Dog Associations are required to clarify the mobility needs of people with vision impairment who want guide dogs, and those who do not. In addition, consideration is needed about the ways to attract people with vision impairment as guide dog users.

This study attempts to clarify some why some respondents who wanted guide dogs did not apply for one. Comparisons were made between respondents who wanted guide dogs and those who did not. Further, suggestions for improvements are made to enable a smoother guide dog application process.

There were 45 (17%) potential candidates for guide dog use and 223 (83%) non-candidates. A greater percentage of potential guide dog candidates (76%) had kept dogs than non-candidates (48%, χ ² (1, N = 267) = 11.24, p < .001).

Many respondents sourced information about guide dogs through such media as the TV, radio, word of mouth, and the internet. A significantly high number of non-candidates sourced information from the TV and radio (Table 1).

Table 1.

Table 2 shows respondents extent of knowledge about guide dogs and desire for guide dog use. More than 60% of the respondents knew about guide dogs in many items. However, many respondents did not know from where they could apply for guide dogs; that there was financial aid to assist the maintenance of guide dogs; that there was a consultation bureau for users, and follow-up care. The χ ² tests were not significant in any items regarding desire for guide dog use.

Table 2.

Table 3 shows the percentage of respondents who anticipated advantages and disadvantages of using a guide dog. There was a relationship between anticipated advantages and desire for guide dog use. Significantly more potential candidates chose the most advantageous items. Although respondents who expected unrealistic advantages of a guide dog were limited, for example, a guide dog would provide personal care similar to service dogs for ambulatory impaired people, significantly more potential candidates chose the item as an advantage. In terms of disadvantages of using a guide dog, significantly more potential candidates chose the item “long waiting time after application”. Also significantly more non-candidates chose the item “dog care” and “dislike dogs”.

Table 3.

Table 4 shows comparisons of QOL scores between potential candidates and non-candidates. Respondents scored relatively high on QOL items. However, respondents tended to be concerned about aging, be dissatisfied with road conditions, and believed there were insufficient social activities in which they could engage. The potential candidates believed more strongly than the non-candidates on three items in the subscale of Lifestyle, i.e., “I feel that I have received some new benefits as a result of my disability”, “I am proud of myself despite my disease or disability” and “I am aware of accepting my disability”.

Table 4.

Factors such as whether or not respondents lived with anyone (χ ² (1, N = 267) = 0.03, p > .05), whether or not they attended walking training (χ ² (1, N = 264) = 1.55, p > .05), and frequency of going out in a week (χ ² (1, N = 267) = 0.83, p > .05) did not significantly influence the desire for guide dog use.

The majority of respondents in this study was relatively young, employed, and went out on a daily basis compared with the national statistics on overall population of Japanese with vision impairment (Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare, 2006). Although approximately half of the respondents had attended O&M training, many of them went out daily and independently using a cane. However, some respondents were not always satisfied with their mobility situation since there is an element of risk of being struck by traffic and pedestrians when walking near roads or on footpaths in Japan. Some respondents thought that guide dogs would help make their walking safer and faster without another person’s help and alleviate anxiety. Some respondents expected not only mobility benefits, but also psychosocial benefits of guide dogs (Lloyd, La Grow, Stafford, & Budge, 2008; Steffens & Bergler, 1998). It is quite reasonable that more potential candidates for guide dog use appreciated the advantages of using guide dogs. Most of the respondents knew that users are required to take care of guide dogs and that guide dogs do not work like service dogs for people who are ambulatory impaired.

The percentage of potential candidates for guide dog use was similar to that of 10 years ago (Research Committee on Guide Dogs, 2000). Thus, in spite of improvements in the social environment for guide dog use, attitudes of people with vision impairment toward guide dogs appear unchanged. Respondents’ frequency of going out did not relate to whether or not they wanted a guide dog. Therefore, it might be a possibility that people with vision impairment who participate in social activities, attend groups or support facilities might also be interested in using a guide dog.

More than 60% of the respondents were familiar with many of the guide dog-related items. Hence, it might be that many respondents decided not to apply for a guide dog after receiving information about them. However, even if respondents were familiar with the functions of guide dogs, there were still many respondents who did not know about the various support systems when using them. It appears then that additional information about support systems for guide dog users is necessary and a system is required to ensure the necessary information is provided to potential guide dog users.

Regarding respondents’ consideration of the disadvantages of using a guide dog, more potential candidates believed there would be a long waiting time after application until receiving a guide dog. Waiting time is significantly shorter today compared to waiting times during the last decade. However, this was not understood among respondents with vision impairment who were not guide dog users. It is recommended that Guide Dog Associations provide guide dog applicants with learning tools in advance while they wait for guide dog training. For example, it is recommended that guide dog users learn handler manners to ensure access rights of dog users and to achieve social harmony (Koda & Matsunaka, 2008; Matsunaka & Koda, 2008).

Respondents were concerned about the care and discipline of guide dogs and guide dogs annoying other people. Caring for a guide dog often enables users to become master of the dog,’ promotes self-esteem, and strengthens attachment to their dog. However, many of the respondents were aged in their 50s and 60s, and appeared to believe they would experience difficulty in caring for and controlling a guide dog because of age-related factors and vision impairment. It might be relevant to note that only 27% of people with vision impairment without a guide dog have attended daily living training in Japan (Research Committee on Guide Dogs, 2000). Hence, it might be important to recommend to potential guide dog users that they attend daily living training in advance of receiving further advice about guide dog services. Daily living training might increase potential guide dog users’ belief in their ability to care for and control a guide dog.

In addition, respondents reported having good personal relationships that might assist them to gain support from others and access information from Guide Dog Associations regarding the ways to care and control a guide dog. Guide Dog Associations could easily provide potential guide dog users with information about various products and techniques developed to assist in the care of guide dogs. Many Japanese people experience strong unpleasant feelings toward other dogs particularly touching substances excreted by dogs (Koda & Negayama, 2006). Therefore, knowledge about products to deal with issues such as this is important. Examples of products include the ‘bag and belt’ to dispose of excrement without soiling the hands or surroundings; and the dog coat that prevents dog hair attaching to other people, or falling in public environments that should be kept clean. At the same time as providing information about products to assist in the care of guide dogs other concurrent necessities include: (i) improvements in the quality of guide dogs, (ii) promoting guide dog user control and (iii) public education about the benefits of guide dogs as well as their ability to occasionally make mistakes (Ishigami & Tokuda, 2005b; Matsunaka & Koda, 2008). Irrespective of the desire for guide dog use, nearly half of the respondents anticipated a painful end to the partnership due to death or retirement of the guide dog. It is often the case that users experience distress at the end of a partnership. To alleviate of some of the distress, Guide Dog Associations might develop a smoother retirement process of the guide dog partnership. For example, the guide dog user might choose the retirement environment for the dog preferably as a much loved pet. Further, contact could be maintained between the user and the retired dog; and Guide Dog Associations could maintain a relationship with the users as trusted user consultants (Nicholson, Kemp-Wheeler, & Griffiths, 1995). Moreover, as McNicholas and Collis (1995) pointed out regarding pet loss, user self help groups would be beneficial to people who feel a sense of loss after the separation with their guide dogs.

The potential candidates in the present study accepted their disabilities and had more positive attitudes toward their lives than the non-candidates. In fact positive attitudes toward their life were reported from the time potential candidates began to think about guide dog use. This finding was in contrast to Ishigami & Tokuda’s (2005a) study that found higher QOL scores when participants were actually using a guide dog rather than when using a cane. To influence positive attitudes toward life by people with vision impairment and thereby potentially become guide dog users, it might be beneficial for Guide Dog Associations to liaise with ophthalmological hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, and local administrative agencies about the importance of promoting positive attitudes. These institutions might then reinforce the importance of positive attitudes in their education and consultation processes with people with vision impairment.

To attract a greater number of people who might benefit from using a guide dog, Guide Dog Associations should construct new support systems. In addition, existing support and information have not been distributed among people with vision impairment without guide dogs. Many people with vision impairment without guide dogs used TV, radio, word of mouth, and internet as sources of information. Information from experienced users and mass media play an important role for people with vision impairment to develop an interest in guide dog use (Research Committee on Guide Dogs, 2000). It seems important to promote individual consultations for people with vision impairment who are interested in guide dog use. Further, it seems important to provide through the mass media, correct information about guide dog use, as well as attaining cooperation from Guide Dog Associations and guide dog user organisations to deliver a consistently positive and correct message about guide dog use (Koda, et al., 2011).

The findings of this study are limited and generalisation to a wider population should be cautioned. First, participants and findings were limited to the Japanese culture. Second, biases might have occurred in data collection since some staff of the groups and facilities were required to conduct face-to-face interviews although were untrained to do so. Third, a broader range of QOL items might have provided further insight and information about the participants. Further studies are needed to confirm the findings with more reliable methods and participants from a variety of cultural backgrounds.