If you've ever wondered what the best profession in the world is, this unique job could be a top candidate.
Ellie Brown, 30, is a “dog researcher” or officially a Guide Dog Specialist.
Her role combines training dogs with matching them with the right owners – akin to a dog school and a pet “dating service.” Ellie spends up to five months training dogs and understanding their needs to determine which owner will bring out the best in them.
But it's not just about finding a dog and owner who will get along well. Making the right choice can change both of your lives.
Guide Dog Specialists take into account everything from traffic near the owner's home to the possibility of goats or birds in the park. Ellie explains: "You have to focus all your energy on matching and making sure the dog is the right fit for the right person. The dog has its own profile, the person has its own profile – we just have to match them."
Dog training
For a guide dog, the path to ownership begins at eight weeks of age, when they are sent to puppy mills. Serious training begins at 13 months, when puppies are introduced to Guide Dog centres in the UK. There they meet their GDSM (Specialist) for the first time and begin the five-month process of preparing for life with their owner.
Ellie says she didn't have much experience with dogs before taking on this job: "I used to work in television, and during lockdown I realised I didn't like it as much as I thought, so I applied for this role."
She is currently working with three dogs: Pippie, Bella and Inez, who are semi-trained. In the training room, Ellie teaches the puppies, through small treats, the basics of guide dogs: posture while wearing a harness, reaction to noises, and behaviors tailored to each dog.
Challenge on the road
The biggest challenge is outside the training room: stopping on sidewalks, maneuvering between parked bicycles, and avoiding other animals. Some dogs learn to ride the subway or escalators. About a third fail to complete the training, and those who don’t pass become pets or “companion dogs” for children with disabilities.
Matching with the owner
Ellie’s role doesn’t end with training. She determines which dog to pair with which owner, taking into account the dog’s personality, lifestyle, and the specific needs of the person with limited vision. For example, Bella prefers a daily routine, while another dog may need more variation.
Once a potential match is selected, the owner and dog meet and begin the process of learning together how to navigate the streets and care for the dog. Ellie helps them learn small details, like how to find the service at the supermarket and walk along new streets.
Work reward
Ellie says: “The most challenging part is working with people who are visually impaired, but it’s also the most rewarding. When I see the dog start to look at its owner and the bond forms, I know immediately that the match is right.”
This unique role is a combination of animal training, humane care and the special bond between dog and owner, and Ellie describes it as one of the most beautiful jobs in the world. /GazetaExpress/
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