SONS, Středisko výcviku vodicích psů

Dne 22. 2. 2018 o nás TV Praha odvysílala tuto milou reportáž, kterou u nás natáčeli na začátku tohoto roku. Najdete v ní v kostce, čím se naše středisko už více než 20 let zabývá. A také informace o předvýchově našich štěňat v rozhovoru s jedním ze současných předvychvatelů. Děkujeme za spolupráci při natáčení všem.

Na podzim 2016 u nás ve středisku proběhl mezinárodní seminář zaměřený na testování a posuzování chování mladých psů a štěňat nejen v předvýchově. Jane Russenberger z USA přednášela o chovu, povahách a výběru vhodných psů pro výcvik. Spolupráce v mezinárodních skupinách byla opravdu zajímavá a přinesla nové poznatky do naší činnosti. Prohloubila znalosti a schopnost našich cvičitelů v posuzování vlastností psů. Mohli jsme porovnat postupy jednotlivých vodicích škol v testování psů a různé nároky na jejich činnost. Hezky to shrnula ve svém článku v mezinárodním časopise Visionary paní Ivana Merryman Boncori, který byl uveřejněn v novém vydání letos na jaře.

Přepis článku:

Distant Learning in Dog Assessment and Selection Provided for Developing Guide Dog Schools

Ivana Merryman Boncori - Development Committee Member
IGDF Development Committee, UK

In Autumn 2016, the Development Committee was proud to organize the first workshop for developing Guide Dog schools from Central and Eastern Europe. Over two days, hosted by the Czech Guide Dog School in Prague, Jane Russenberger presented lectures on breeding, assessment and selection of dogs.

It was clear that the topic was very interesting for the participating schools and that there was much need for more practical training. We embarked on the idea of continued training using Skype, an inexpensive way of providing practical experience to a large group of people. Eight Guide Dog schools, divided into two groups, participated in the training, several of their staff members joining in the sessions. The training lasted from January to August 2017 and each group of schools completed fifteen 1-hour training sessions. Jane Russenberger led all thirty sessions, Bob Proesmans supported one group and Ivana Merryman Boncori supported the second group, providing much needed translation.

The sessions consisted of analysis of videos of dogs at different ages from puppy tests, through puppy-raising, to GDBart tests being completed as the dogs entered their training program. We would

• analyze and assess the behavior of the dogs,
• see how the dogs developed over time,
• assess what work was done with the dogs and how did it influence their further development and final result (selected for breeding, GD training or released).

We concentrated on how to fill a Behaviour Checklist and how to conduct and assess GDBart tests and 4 month assessment with the puppy and its raiser. Throughout the training, the schools would make videos of their own dogs, they would share them and we would analyze those particular dogs. We would talk about the problems these dogs might have, what implications those issues have for training or breeding and what could be done about it. It was also possible to analyze how schools conducted GDBart tests and correct and refine the technique. Many concrete questions were raised during the trainings and last sessions were dedicated to specific topics, which participants considered most relevant for their work, such as concrete techniques used for problem solving during puppy-raising. The training was further supported by email communication, questions and answers, as they came up.

It is extremely important, that developing guide dogs schools have access to longer term and thorough practical training and support, so that they can build on ideas that they hear about at workshops, seminars, when visiting other organizations. We are fortunate to have the technology that can assist us and that we can join in training sessions from the comfort of our home or office from all around the world. We couldn’t do this without the dedicated experts like Jane, sharing their knowledge and having endless patience with all the questions. Providing translation, during sessions and over email, proved essential in making this knowledge accessible and understandable to people who are not fluent in English.

The Development Committee hopes that we can continue with more projects like this one into the future, for the benefit of all the schools that need and want to learn and develop further and that might struggle to do so on their own.

Ve středu, 20. září 2017, natáčela ve Středisku výcviku vodicích psů v Jinonicích Česká televize. Filmaři si výslovně přáli vidět, jak celá smečka vybíhá z atria na travnatou plochu před střediskem. Natáčení probíhalo víc než hodinu, a tak jsme byli všichni zvědaví, jak dopadl sestříhaný materiál.
Pořad Z metropole, ve kterém byla i reportáž ze SVVP, se objevil na obrazovce ČT1 dne 30. 9. 2017 ve 12 hodin. Pokud jste nestihli premiéru, nezoufejte a pořad si vyhledejte kdykoliv později v archivu.

V únoru 2014 vyšel v časopise Visionary (International Guide Dog Federation) článek o naší rekondici ve Vranově nad Dyjí.

Přepis článku:

Vranov nad Dyji welcomed the blind and their guide dogs

Marie Hajkova - Director
Czech Guide Dog School (SVVP)

The Czech Guide Dog School organised a one-week summer rehabilitation programme for guide dog holders in the Southern Moravian town of Vranov nad Dyji in the beautiful landscape of the Podyji National Park.

A focused training programme was prepared for the blind participants for the whole week including the training of behaviour, control, management and obedience of guide dogs. The programme also included a ‘motivating contest’ (blind-fold walking in obstacle course) attended also by sighted guides and was concluded with a contest on the Vranov streets; the winner being announced at a ceremony and handover of diplomas and awards attended by the general public.

In order to improve their social inclusion and cultural and social life, participants had the opportunity to take part in a number of free-time activities: e.g. common bathing of dogs, walks on the banks of the Dyje River in the area of the National Park and a guided visit to the remains of the Iron Curtain in Cizov.

Our thanks go to all who helped in the preparation and running of what was a highly successful event; most of all, I thank the staff of the Czech Guide Dog School and, last but not least, all of our clients and their four-legged friends who carried out the work of guide dogs during the whole, attracting attention and admiration everywhere they went.

We are proud of you!!!