Palm Springs firefighters help prepare service dogs to adapt in stressful situations

With fire season upon us, the Palm Springs Fire Department teamed up with Guide Dogs of the Desert today to provide a special training for a group of dogs that will eventually go on to help the visually impaired.

This type of training is critical to ensure the best possible outcome during such an emergency for a visually impaired individual reliant on a guide dog.

The idea of this training is to expose the dogs to these types of situations in a controlled environment so GDD’s trainers can actively work on any challenges they may have.

This event is important to the pup’s training because they may become frightened if they were to encounter EMS (Emergency Medical Services) during an emergency situation.

A lot of stimuli is involved in a situation, such as a fire, and fear involved in these types of situations which can overwhelm a dog and possibly cause them to regress in some aspects of their training.

Encounter EMS in a controlled setting makes it less stressful for the dogs and will desensitize them the ext time they see EMS or hear sirens while out in public.

Founded in 1972 in Palm Springs, Guide Dogs of the Desert is a non-profit organization that provides mobility, companionship and independence to individuals who are visually impaired or blind with custom trained Guide Dogs.

The Guide Dogs are provided at no cost to the clients. Guide Dogs of the Desert is fully accredited by the International Guide Dog Federation.

Watch News Channel 3 at 5:00 p.m. tonight for the full story.