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Guide Dog Mobility Instructor

Also known as Orientation and Mobility (Guide Dog) Instructor.

Guide dog mobility instructors train dogs to guide people who are blind or vision-impaired.

They also train these people to use and care for a guide dog.

Training is conducted over a period of three to six weeks. For people trained in the centre-based programme, additional follow-up instruction of three to five days is provided upon the person's return home.

TASKS

Guide dog mobility instructors may perform the following tasks:

work with a team of specially chosen dogs that have undergone initial socialisation through the Guide Dogs Association of Australia's puppy-raising scheme
over a period of four to six months, put the dogs through an intensive assessment and training programme
train the dogs to guide people with little or no sight through all likely independent travel situations
conduct interviews and assessments of all applicants for guide dogs
conduct a matching meeting, whereby guide dogs are matched to clients on the waiting list
train a person who is vision-impaired to use a guide dog at either a residential training facility or within the person's home area

PERSONAL REQUIREMENTS

good health, hearing and eyesight
full mobility and a good level of physical fitness
desire to work with people who are vision-impaired
flexible and adaptable
able to work both independently and as part of a team
love of, and aptitude for, working with dogs

Interest Area

EDUCATION & TRAINING

To become a guide dog mobility instructor you usually have to complete a relevant degree, followed by a cadetship with Guide Dogs NSW/ACT. This cadetship includes completion of a postgraduate qualification in orientation and mobility.

Relevant degrees include those majoring in social sciences, disability studies, human services, psychology, nursing or education. To get into the degree courses you usually need to gain your HSC/ACT Year 12. Prerequisite subjects, or assumed knowledge, in one or more of English, mathematics, biology, chemistry and physics are normally required. Most universities in Australia offer degrees in relevant areas. Entry to postgraduate courses usually requires completion of an appropriate bachelor degree.

Universities have different prerequisites and some have flexible entry requirements or offer external study. Contact Open Universities Australia or the universities you are interested in for more information as requirements may change.

Additional Information

In NSW, guide dog mobility instructors need to have a drivers licence.

Many guide dog schools in Australia are members of the International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF), which is made up of approximately 80 guide dog schools from around the world. A qualification obtained from an IGDF-accredited school is recognised internationally by member schools.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Guide dog mobility instructors are employed by guide dog associations around Australia and internationally.

Job opportunities depend on the incidence of visual impairment in the community and the availability of funds for associations. There is a high level of competition for available positions.