Seeing Eye Dog Selection Monitoring and Selection Process used to develop Seeing Eye dogs from breeding through graduation
Early development : Staff and volunteers observe and handle puppies at the breeding station
Early development : Interaction between litter mates
Early development : Prescribed handling of puppies
Early development : Activities in the socialization rooms Variety of surfaces and stairs Sounds and sights
Early development: Monitoring of Health Regular physicals German Shepherd puppies screened for Megaesophagus
Early development and beyond Communication Interdepartmental Veterinarians Puppy Development Breeding Station staff Training Puppy Raisers Outside veterinarians
Puppy Development: Puppy Development Staff Place and retrieve puppies
Puppy Development: Puppy Development Staff Visit Families
Puppy Development: Puppy Development Staff Evaluation for Vesting at 6 months
Puppy Development: Puppy Development Staff Oversee county club meetings County Club run by volunteers
Puppy Development: Puppy Raisers Teach good household behavior Obedience commands Exposure to a great variety Environments Activities Complete evaluation forms 6 and 12 month CBARQ Final Report
Puppy Development: CBARQ Scores Program to identify low scores on 6 month Intervene if possible problem Work with family Move puppy Reject puppy
Training Selection: Brought in for training Age Variety of breed and gender Medical Health history is reviewed Comprehensive physical exams Radiographs Neutering if not for breeding
Training Selection: Evaluations Gait Evaluation number score assigned Temperament Puppy Development Records are reviewed Behavior evaluation» In Kennels» On walks
Training Selection: Medical Testing The Seeing Eye maintains a strong commitment to supporting veterinary research directed toward maintaining good health in dogs Penn Hip evaluations Evaluate German Shepherds for bleeding disorder Optigen testing on PRA
Training Selection: Temperament Instructor Assistant Work with red flag issues Allowing further assessment Potentially Resolve issues
Training Selection: In for training test (IFT) Participated in a combined effort to develop IFT University of Pennsylvania and other dog guide schools Developed and evaluated key components for testing Trial tests for level of predictability of success IFT is not currently used
Breeding Selection: Test Dog Potential breeder Non Test Dog Considered for training
Breeding Selection: Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) used to identify test dogs (potential breeders) Clear medical histories Positive temperament evaluations
Breeding Selection: Training Assignment Test Dog Assigned to special instructor for short training period Assessed for temperament and working ability Undergo additional medical evaluations
Breeding: Selection of mates Chart of inbreeding coefficients of prospective litters is used in selecting mates
Training Assignment: Not a Test Dog Neutered Assign to an instructor for four month training period
In Training: Formal evaluations by manager : two week, midterm blindfold, final blindfold concerns and solutions discussed Progress is monitored at all times Regular medical evaluations All evaluations are carefully reviewed before a dog is taken out of the program
In training: Puppy Raisers are invited to watch the puppy they raised work with their instructor near end of training before assignment to student
In Class: Dog assigned to student Team progress is monitored and evaluated throughout class training
Graduation: Follow up assistance is available as needed after graduation
SUCCESS!