We're testing two new dogs

We are testing two new dogs now (Bublik and Vasya). When we'll be sure that dogs are suitable for our work, we start to train them.

Dex and Mikhail

Another graduate is Labrador Dex. He successfyully passed his exam before which his Trainer Natalia Gromova was really worried. It is understandable. During his training Dex lived in the center of Moscow and was trained on difficult city routes. Natasha was saying:"I don't know how I will go there blindfolded, cars are parked in the most unusual places, I won't be able to walk throuhg. They keep blocking part of the side walk where they clean snow off the roofs. You cross the road, lift your cane - not one car stops!» It is all really difficult both for a person and for a dog. Dex passed the test showing his natural quick-wittedness and good training. Dex is a very happy and strong dog. It was very important to find him an energetic owner. Indecisive and inactive person will not be able to work with such a dog. You can't call Mikhail, who received Dex, an indecisive person. How many people (even among the people with good eye sight) that will leave Moscow into the country and start a household having a family with two little children. He did. WHen Mikhail came to pick up Dex, the weather was very cold and he was in a hurry to go back home. "How will they be there without me? They need to heat the place, clean the snow, what if they don't have enough burning wood? I did cut some, but what if it's not enough» - he kept saying.

Mikhail works in town. Dex takes him there now. Mikhail also often comes to Moscow where he has friends and family. He will be travelling with Dex now, so Dex's city habits will come in useful.

Filitsia (Filya) and Alexey Kuznetsov

Filya has joined the Guide Dogs that we trained. She passed her exam by taking her Guide Dog trainer Galina Aksyonova along one of the routs. She also successfully passed the second part of the exam - obedience course. Galina didn't lose time training Alexey. He is an experienced dog handler, worked with his first Guide Dog Rita for many years. So, he didn't have a lot of trouble learings. Besides, Filya has been living in his family for a few months now and they've learned each other's character and habits. Filya just learned all of Alexey's routs as the had to pass an unexpected test. I have to admit that one of their routes is very long and difficult: walking to a bus stop of a railway station in Zelenograd, trip to Moscow, change to metro and, at the end, a few stops on a trolleybus. And in between all the transport Filya takes Alexey through very crouded and difficult roads. A few days ago the were coming back home on a now familiar route. They were a bit slow leaving the trolleybus, Alexey's cane catches the door that is immediately closed, trolleybus leaves taking Alexey's cane with him. All Alexey's attempts to attract the driver's attention are fruitless. This is how Alexey told us his storyy on the phone: «Can you imagine, I just moved my cane back for a moment not to disturb other passengers and the driver closed the doors and left. I screamed, waved my hand... nothing. So, me and Filya are left alone on the bus stop. And we have a long way home, through metro and crouds. How will I find out without my cane where we are going, were the dog stopped, what she walked around. She can't tell, I define it with my cane. So, I told Filya: "Well, all my hopes are with you, girl! Can't help you without my cane! I can't even check what you are doing! Lets go home." And she did it! Didn't make a single mistake, I didn't hit anything, didn't fall. So, we got home successfully! That's the dog that you trained for me!...». Well, I am not discribing all the excited words about us that he told me. It's nice but a bit uncomfortable. Of course, the dog is great and Alexey, who trusted Filya too! But there is another side to this happy ending story. It didn't happen in a forest but in a day light in a crouded place. Nobody helped or interfered! Possibly the driver could not see the cane but all the passengers that were left on the trolleybus did see everything! Let's leave it with their conscience.

That's an extra exam that Filya and Alexey successfully passed. By the way, he keeps calling her Filya. Says that Filitsia is too long and official. We wish them good luck!

Tatiana Vlasenko

In order to successfully use help of a Guide Dog, a blind person needs to obtain many skills. Part of them relate to the actual work with a dog. For example, use of a cane. White cane is a generally accepted attribute of a vision impaired person. It is also a signal to the people around: be more careful as the person can not see! It is also a good help when moving independently. When used wisely a cane can "tell" a lot to a blind person about the surroundings. But a person should learn all this. Better under the guidance of an experienced teacher. Tatiana Vlasenko was lucky. Our expert Natalia Gromova is teaching her. It's a long way before Tatiana could have a Guide Dog. A person that lost her eye sight when she was already an adult and has not left home independently for a few years, needs preliminary training. First success. She left her apartment independently and stopped at the door. Walked to the corner of the building and came back to the porch. On her own! While Tatiana is recovering her self confidence we are looking for a dog that will become her Guide Dog after the training.

Alexey Kuznetsov and Filya

It is very hard to accept a death of your dog that lived with you for many years. It is even more difficult for someone whose dog is not only a friend and a member of his family but is also an indispensable assistant. A few months ago Rita, a Guide Dog of Alexey Kuznetsov, died. What can you do, she was old! For years that Rita lived with Alexey, he got used to relying on her. He had never had any doubts who would walk him to a shop, or help him run errands or take him to visit relatives in Moscow (Alexey lives in Zelenograd): of course - Rita. Alexey's wife is also vision impaired, Rita guided them both. In addition to the great pain of losing Rita Alexey was also worried. What's next? How long would he have to wait for a new dog? We promised to train Rita's substitute as soon as possible but we also had to find a dog first! Alexey also participated in search with all the great energy he has. Finally, after looking at numerous candidates we chose Felitsia. Young German Shepherd showed really good inclinations of a future Guide Dog. After the check up we placed her with Alexey. That was our agreement: the dog should live with him, get used to him and the Guide Dog trainer will come for lessons. Alexey immediately started calling the dog Filya, joking that the dog will get her full name back after "graduation". At first Alexey kept comparing Filya with Rita, which was not always in favor of a new dog! You bet! Trained and hard-working Rita that was quick understanding Alexey in comparison with our young newcomer Filya. Besides, Filya has completely different character. She needed time to understand her new owners and fit in. Now it's all behind. Filya is training and Alexey and his wife are anxious to be able not to think who will take them out: of course – Filya!

Nina Bykova and Ayavrik

Ayavrik is a German Shepherd. Normally, people associate the breed with something tough - border guarding, police. The dogs are normally also reserved and don't trust strangers. But not all of them are like that. You can meet some very friendly German Shepherds. Ayavrik trusts everybody, that's why we chose him among many candidates. Of course, it is not enough to be just kind. Ayavrik is calm, behaves at home, is not scared of city transport, passers-by and flashes of lights. He does not get lost in an underground pass or in metro. Ayavrik is more than a year old. For the time of his training Ayavrik lives in a "foster family". Matthew and Tanya Charlesworth and their children Clare (6,5), Max (3,5) and Christopher (1,5) look after him. At the first meeting Ayavrik charmed the whole family, especially children. Only little Christopher was a little worried meeting a dog that is taller than him. Ayavrik gentle ways helped and they became fast friends. Now the children enjoy playing with the dog and spend a lot of time in his company, while their parents are taking care of the dog. We take care of the training and Nina Kadykova, our Guide Dog Trainer, regularly comes to train Ayavrik.

The only thing upsetting everybody is that they will have to say good bye in a few months time. We are training Ayavrik for Nina Bykova who is looking forward to have him. Nina has had Guide Dogs before, the last one being also a German Shepherd. Nina loves dogs and takes good care of her helpers. Ayavrik will be well looked after at her home.

Lyudmila and Archie

It's been a while since we reported on Archie. A lot has happened in the past months. First of all, Archie has been working a lot. It is probably more correct to say that his trainer, Angelica Batischeva at whose home he's been living during training. We believe that Archie himself liked his brakes more than his lessons, as any student though. Archie is a very clever dog. Even his playful nature didn't prevent him from learning his program well. With Angelica's help Archie learned to lead a person along, not to pay attention to other dogs when working, warn when coming to a road, walk around various obstacles and many more.

Even before his "graduation exam" Archie was transferred to his new owner Lyudmila. They were both happy to finally have met. The dog is finishing his training, learning the routes that he will have to walk on with Lyudmila who is training too. Natalia Gromova, our expert on rehabilitation of disabled people teaches her to use a cane, find obstacles and reference points and other tricks that will help Lyudmila when she will be working with Archie.

Labrador Dex

Dex is 10 months old. He is very lively and playful and lives with his "foster family" Adrian and Lena.
Dex's classes are successful. He will live with his "foster family" until the end of his classes. We have not decided yet which one of our clients will have him because we need to find him an owner with the same energy levels!:-)

August 17, 2004

Sergei is a student of the Moscow State University. He hopes that Sherry, after her training course, will help him getting to the University and back.

Sherry passed her exams. Now our Guide Dog Trainer is teaching Sergei Kostnikov to handle his Guide Dog and everything else a Guide Dog handler should know.

Elena Rachenkova and Lafa

Lafa has just started her training since Elena got her when she was already an aduly. Lafa will be third Guide Dog for Elena. First dog, erdel terrier Daisy has worked for many years. She’s been long gone. The Second dog, Labrador Nicolette is now a pensioner. Elena is excited about her work. Elena won competitions of the blind people with their Guide Dogs. Elena believes that Lafa will soon become Nicolette’s worthy successor.

Sergei Skvortsov and Darina

Sergei Skvortsov is moving using a chair. He wants his German Sheppard Darina (still a puppy) to help him move, bring him things that he drops and becomes a good friend. Darina is taking her obedience course now.