seurakoiria
Seurakoiria, also known as guide dogs, are specially trained dogs that assist people with visual impairments to navigate safely and independently. The term originates from the Finnish word “seurakokki”, meaning “companion dog”. Guide dogs provide a range of assistance including detecting obstacles, maintaining safe distances from other pedestrians, and stopping at curbs or steps, thereby enabling their handlers to traverse urban environments, public transport and rural settings with confidence.
The field of guide dog training began in the early 20th century, with pioneers such as Arthur
Common breeds used as guide dogs include Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, and German Shepherds, chosen for
Organizations such as the Finnish Guide Dog Association (Suomen Seurakoira- ja Kuka-Taito-Yhdistys) and international bodies like