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VIDBE-Q Volume 63 Issue 4
Angela Jackson, M.A.
Certification Student
University of Pittsburgh
AMJ101@pitt.edu
Internships for Orientation & Mobility can be exciting and intimidating and
typically take place in a school or state agency setting. A few interns each year are
lucky enough to complete their internship in a unique setting such as Leader Dogs for
the Blind. Leader Dogs for the Blind is the only dog guide school in the United States
that has an on-site Orientation & Mobility program.
The Orientation & Mobility program at Leader Dog is an accelerated program that
lasts for one week and the instructors provide training in skills from human guide to
independent cane travel in multiple environments. The clients served at Leader Dog are
sixteen or older. With the one-week program model there can be a lot of challenges but
for an intern it provides a lot of experience with different visual conditions and a variety
of clients. Having a new client each week requires an ability to get to know the client
and their needs quickly so that the best possible instruction can be given during the
week. However, the program has a basic timeline for the week that helps with lesson
preparation and allows interns to repeatedly practice teaching the skills needed for
Orientation & Mobility. For some clients the lessons may be paced a bit slower and they
may not complete all lessons, but they are able to get the instruction they need. The
Canes and Dogs: Interning at a Dog Guide School for
Orientation and Mobility Certification
