It costs more than $30,000 to complete the training of one guide dog. This includes all expenses from breeding to raising the dog to training it and matching it with a blind person.

What exactly is a guide dog trained to do?

Guide dogs undergo a comprehensive training program, and only the best complete the training and become working guides. In short, guide dogs are taught how to find and follow a clear path, maneuver around obstacles, and stop at curbs. They also are taught to determine when it is unsafe to move on. They follow their teammate's directions, and they know that they can disobey only in the face of danger.

What is the blind person taught during training?

During the training program, blind students first learn about the commands the dog knows. Over a several week period, they are taught everything there is to know about how to work with a guide dog. In addition, they learn about proper care of the dog, which ranges from feeding to grooming to medical issues. Access laws, public awareness and other issues also are covered during the 25-day program.

Are guide dogs allowed in restaurants?

Guide dogs are allowed everywhere that the general public is allowed to go. This includes restaurants, taxicabs, airplanes, hotels etc. This right is protected by a federal law called the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Are there things I should or should not do when I am around a guide dog?

The general rule is that working guide dogs should be ignored. Distractions take their concentration away from the work they have to do-which can put the dog and its teammate in danger. Do not pet or feed a guide dog and do not encourage the dog to misbehave.

First give students some advice on how to introduce people. Show the following on the PowerPoint.

Tips on how to introduce people

Here's how to make proper introductions at parties, dinners and other social situations.

1. Introduce individuals to each other using both first and last names.

2. If you're introducing someone who has a title, a doctor for example, include the title as well as the first and last names in the introduction.

3. Introduce the younger or less prominent person to the older or more prominent person, regardless of the sex of the individuals. (However, if a considerable age difference lies between the two, it is far more courteous to make introductions in deference to age, regardless of social rank.) For example: "Arthur Prefect, I'd like you to meet Dr. Gertrude Smith".

4. If the person you are introducing has a specific relationship to you, make the relationship clear by adding a phrase such as "my boss", "my wife" or "my uncle".

5. Introduce an individual to the group first, then the group to the individual. For example: "Dr. Brown, I'd like you to meet my friends Kym Hsu, Shawn Kampbell and Michael Via. Everyone, this is Dr. Kurt Brown."

Demonstration

Present a formal introduction with two students. Ask students to think about the