For the time being, the total number of trained guide dogs worldwide does not reach the pre-Covid epidemic level, which is why we have to wait longer for guide dogs. However, it is encouraging that more and more guide dogs are being trained and a record number of volunteers are taking up work at the training organizations, the International Guide Dog Association (IGDF) announced in its announcement.
There was no relapse
THE Miskolcbased in Baráthegy Guide Dog School there was no decline, they continue to train 15 guide dogs every year, so the waiting list didn’t get any longer. The number of volunteers at their foundation is also constantly increasing. The Baráthegy Guide Dog School, as a member of the international association, wants to train as many guide dogs as possible in the world, since guide dogs provide greater independence for visually impaired people.
– On World Guide Dog Day, we celebrate these wonderful companions who help their owners get around safely, integrate into society, and give lots of love in the meantime
he formulated László Berta head of communications. In the announcement of the international association, the most important statistical data of 2023 were summarized based on the data provided by their 97 member organizations. According to the international association, there are more guide dogs in the world than any other assistance dog. In 2023, there were 19,557 guide dogs working worldwide. Their number decreased slightly compared to the number of 20,281 in 2022. The reason for the decline is the Covid pandemic, since the number of trained guide dogs has decreased since then. According to their experience, there was no such decrease in Hungary, the work of the Guide Dog School in Baráthegy was also hampered by the pandemic, however, they continuously maintained that they give 15 guide dogs to their visually impaired applicants every year.
– With the breeding program of our foundation, in recent years it has successfully fulfilled its goal of producing 30 puppies per year. These puppies will be the guide dogs of the future
said László Berta.
The Covid epidemic had a severe impact on the members of the international association, however, thanks to their professional knowledge and creativity, they continued to provide their services.
“In 2023, member organizations trained 2,598 guide dogs, which is an increase compared to previous years, but further work is needed to return to the pre-epidemic level, when 3,000 guide dogs were trained annually,” the International Association of Guide Dogs wrote in its statement . More and more people are working for guide dogs, in 2023 7,007 people were employed full or part-time by IGDF organizations around the world. Their dedication and expertise enable safe transportation for thousands of visually impaired people. In order to provide training and support, their foundation currently employs 15 full-time employees. Last year, 38,348 individual volunteers donated their time and experience to help the association’s member organizations. This is a significant increase compared to the 34,033 individual volunteers registered in 2022, which clearly shows the strength of the support for our cause. At our foundation, the number of volunteers helping to train guide dogs is constantly increasing, last year there were 260 volunteers. In 2023, the member organizations started training 9,312 blind driver students. This is a significant increase from 2022’s number of 7,462.
