The REAL Reason I Don't Have A Guide Dog

Tommy, who been blind since birth, talks about his history with service dogs and why he doesn't have one today.

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Related Videos:

How Blind People Use A White Cane

Saying Goodbye To My White Cane

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Music:

“Na Trilha de Hoje” by Julio de Mattos

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Photos:

“Guide Dog” by U.S. Dept. of Agriculture
“Guide Dogs” by Smerikal
“Guiding in Stockholm” by Smerikal
“Guide Dog” by Midiman
“Trusty Guide Dog” by Evan P. Cordes
“Opas Finna” by Smerikal

Used under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 & 3.0 Unported licenses.

#serviceanimals #guidedog #animals

[kalibbailey]

"Does your dog Bite?" I don't know, but I've never seen him do it.

[FoxDren]

One of the most amazing skills guide dogs are taught is called "selective disobedience" they've been taught to disobey their handler in order to protect them. This is something really hard to teach.

[SkyLordPanglot]

I know that these dogs are very well trained, but dayum "Find the car" and he knows exactly what you are talking about.

[kayjpjessie]

*Grinning*: "Holy cow, you just saved my life Clancy. Way to go kid"
Idk y that made me laugh

[guybe]

It is unbelievable that you as a blind person used to pick your dog's litter, yet a lot of people that have sight are just too lazy.

[seal]

What's the worst injury you got from being blind? Got any battle scars?

[moto]

"find the car" that is cool asf

[stephyclaws]

Aww bless it seems like you really miss your dog xx

[isabelscott]

My friend has a guide dog reject. He didn't quite make the cut as a guide dog but he's still much better trained than most dogs you could adopt. He was too friendly to make it as a guide dog but he's still pretty well behaved in normal terms.

[SmokingGhosts]

this might be a weird question but do you notice yourself getting older? without seeing your face/ body change everyday do you you think you still look like a kid ?

[Dania.q]

Just a friendly reminder to all dog lovers such as myself: do not try to pet a service dog that is on duty! It will distract them from their job which can be dangerous to the handler. Especially teach your children about service dogs and why it's important to avoid petting them.

[Bekll]

This video was really informative. I was impressed hearing that dog guides can even guide their handler back to a parked car they rode only in once. And like Tommy said, dog guides are trained to watch for low hanging objects that could hit their handler's head so they stop at that sort of obstacle so the handler can get the idea to use upper hand protective technique and keep walking until it's clear. Alternatively, the handler can shift a foot ahead in the instance the dog stopped because of a drop off like stairs or a curb. It's fascinating to learn.

[skullface]

This guys optimism makes life worth living....

[asho]

I would love to have a conversation with your parents because it seems like they did a great job raising you. Could you do a video about them?

[splashesin]

I really appreciate this video Tommy. So many strangers have gotten angry with me simply because I don't have a guide dog, and I am really good at navigating with my cane, and it would just be really difficult for me to have a dog now for many reasons. My friend's guide dogs have all been wonderful and uniquely different, and have all melted my heart. I would just not be able to get anything else done if I had one full time, and they are, full time. They need people with lots of physical stamina, and lots of time. I've sat with a retired guide for a week and loved him very much not even using him as a guide. Also have lots of travel experience with working teams, so am aware of pros and cons. It's the old thing of people asking questions and ignoring that you are answering from having experienced a life time of situations, compared to only once for three minutes. I've also had people insist that I'm lying to them, that I don't have a dog, and become enraged when I continue to tell them I don't have one. They insist they've seen me with my dog, and I don't have one. I would know, if I had a dog. Why can't a stranger or bus driver accept that I know whether or not I have a dog? This is just another thing that regularly happens to me as a blind person out and about.

[manu]

Now I'm really curious about guide dogs and the daily life with one

[meljstephan]

Is it weird that this video made me cry? I just love dogs so much. They're such beautiful, loyal, loving creatures.

[bethsontag]

I love how you crack yourself up. Thanks @Tommyedison

[kdever]

I am currently raising my 10th puppy for Leader Dogs for the Blind, a male black lab/golden retriever mix named "Lumos". I know that my dogs are life-changing for the people who receive them, but I appreciate your perspective. Dogs are a big responsibility and the same can be said of a guide dog. It's not for everyone! But they are amazing. People ask me every day how I can give my puppy back after a year, and of course it is hard, but someone needs him more than I want him. He needs to go to someone who needs him so he can stop them from being hit by a car someday. Thanks for this video, and for all of your videos. They have really helped me raise better dogs by giving me insight into life as a person who is blind or visually impaired. Thank you!

[AntonioKowatsch]

Tommy is such a lovely person. He can light up any situation with his charisma.