Market Research Study Sheds Light On Guide Dog Usage

A research conducted to assess the needs of blind consumers found that 23% of cane users dislike their cane. This group is the most likely group to become future guide dog users. The study also found that some blind consumers resist the notion of having a guide dog due to the responsibility of having a dog and the necessary training period.

Key findings:

• Users cited advantages of guide dogs to be: moving around with confidence; companionship; safer and more accurate travel; and independence.
• 79% of non-guide dog users know someone who has a guide dog and 82% of these people believe that the guide dog has been a positive experience for the person they know.
• Nearly half of non-guide dog users have seriously considered getting a guide dog at one point or another, although only 7% have applied to guide dog school.
• 71% of respondents who have never had a guide dog believe that they are beneficial, but do not want or are not ready for the responsibility.
• The major drawbacks to getting a guide dog for nonusers is the training taking them away from home and the responsibility and care of the dog.