1st guide dogs start to work in Shanghai

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Two special graduates have started their careers in Shanghai, as the city launched a program to aid its physically challenged residents. They are Shanghai's the first seeing-eye dogs.

Twospecialgraduateshavestartedtheir
careersinShanghai,asthecitylaunched
aprogramtoaiditsphysicallychallenged
residents.TheyareShanghai'sthefirst
seeing-eyedogs.

If not for their jackets, the two naughty Labradors could be mistaken for ordinary pets. But over the next eight to ten years, the pair will act as eyes for two vision-impaired people in Shanghai.

The dogs and their future owners have been living together for five months as part of an orientation program, to help them develop a trusting relationship.

Dong Dalin, a guide dog recipient, said,"Walking with my dog feels like flying. With the help of my partner, I can walk much faster than I do alone. "

It is estimated that almost 97 thousand people in Shanghai are vision impaired. The dogs that went to work Monday were offered to their partners for free. Three other dogs are in the middle of training for future recipients. Authorities say details of the application procedures to get a guide dog will be disclosed in the near future.