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Dissertations (Ed. D.)--Rowan University, 2008. / Typescript. "UMI Number: 3359917"--T.p. verso. Includes bibliographical references.

Annotation: This thesis deals with the importance of guide dogs for the visually impaired people. It is divided into theoretical and practical part. The theoretical part defines and classifies the types and degrees of visual impairment and the most common eye diseases. It discusses the position of the blind in society, means of communication and assistance. It focuses on the history and methods of training of the guide dogs and suitable breeds, according to organizations engaged in training of dogs at home and abroad, the thesis also mentions international organization of these training centers. The research is based on the results of the survey among people utilizing the services of a guide dog. Through interviews, it was analyzed, how important the guide dog is for the participants and how it affects the quality of their life.

In medical ophthalmology, refractive studies have become an integral part of a complete ophthalmic examination and second only to a slit-lamp biomicroscopic examination in determining visual function and ability. This study shows that the same ideology applies to refractive studies on dogs. The refraction technique has evolved in process, with refinement of the technology and methods used; with the development of handheld autorefractors utilised in paediatric refraction. Fifty guide dogs completed this study however five of the dogs were subsequently excluded and replaced because of poor compliance. Forty six of the dogs were Labrador Retrievers; one was a Golden Retriever, one a Great Dane cross, one a Labrador cross and one a cross breed. The median sample age was 17months with an interquartile range (IQR) of13 to 34months. We validated the agreement in refractive error measurement between the Welch Allyn ™ "SureSight" (WASS) autorefractor to the traditional Welch Allyn ™ handheld streak retinoscope (SR) by two experienced investigators, due to previous studies showing variability in measurement for both instruments. The refractive state for 60°/o of the guide dogs sampled at South African Guide Dogs Association (SAGDA) were emmetropic (-0.5 to +0.5D), 34% were hypermetropic (>+0.5D) with 6% myopic (<-0.5D). For agreement between the instruments, a wide range of differences using mean spherical equivalence (MSE) was observed between the 95% limits of agreement (-1.911 D to 1.698D). On average,measurements with the WASS were slightly lower compared to the SR (mean difference = 0.013). Both instruments showed a better average agreement in determining emmetropia with a tendency to underestimate refractive errors for greater negative and positive diopters. The WASS showed better agreement with the SR for refractive error measurement with higher reliability scale values (8 and above). Clinical astigmatism (>- 0.50 cylinder) was detected more readily on the WASS (37 dogs) than on the SR (9 dogs). Between investigators the MSE measurements differed significantly (P = 0.02), with the average agreement on the SR slightly better than the WASS. Overall, the handheld manual streak retinoscope remains the more practical, cost effective and efficient instrument for objective refraction in dogs. We can also conclude, that current subjective criteriae utilised in the selection of guide dogs at SAGA can be further improved by including objective methods of refraction. Copyright / Dissertation (MMedVet)--University of Pretoria, 2011. / Companion Animal Clinical Studies / unrestricted

Practical aid to understanding vision impairment on page xxvii unable to be scanned. Please see http://www.rnzfb.org.nz/eye-conditions for this information. / The relationship between guide dog handlers in New Zealand and their guide dogs was investigated to identify the reasons why some partnerships are successful while others are not. A two-part study was designed to explore the match between the handler and the dog to improve the outcome of the matching process. A focus group discussion with people who had a range of visual acuity and experience with mobility aids was conducted as a preliminary measure to help develop the survey questionnaire that was used in the second part of the study. Fifty current and/or previous handlers, who had used a total of 118 dogs, were interviewed about their prior expectations and the outcome of the partnerships. Results indicated that the majority of matches were successful, and quality of life was improved for most participants because of using a dog. Around a quarter of the matches were considered unsuccessful, although not all mismatched dogs were returned. Mismatches arose predominantly from problems concerning the dogs' working behaviour followed by the dogs' social/home behaviour. However, dogs were also returned for health problems and a few were returned for personal issues concerning the handler. Compatibility between the handler and the dog, and the fulfilment of expectations were positively associated with better matches. Factors relating to mobility, including a handler's ability to control a dog, made the biggest contribution to success, but non-work related issues, such as companionship and enhancement of social interactions were also significant. Other factors that appeared to be associated with a good outcome included an accurate assessment of workload, having a good relationship with the guide dog instructor, and having a little useful vision - especially if this deteriorated over the time a dog was used. Other findings suggested that the use of a dog improved travel performance, regardless of how well the participants' perceived their travel ability to have been before the dog was acquired, and that second dogs were less favoured than the first ones. These results have permitted a series of recommendations to be proposed to the guide dog industry regarding characteristics of handler and dog that are important for a successful match.