After the dogs are handed over, the follow-up process continues uninterrupted. Regular checks are conducted to review the needs of both the dog and the user, and additional training support is provided if necessary.
The program covers the maintenance, food, and veterinary costs of guide dogs, with users responsible for maintaining the welfare of the dogs.
Upon reaching a certain age, retired guide dogs continue their lives with a suitable family.
Nurdeniz Tunçer, president of the Guide Dogs Association who is also visually impaired and has a guide dog, stated that they have been actively working in the field for 9 years and currently, there are 11 guide dogs in Türkiye.
Tunçer shared that their activities officially began with their guide dog Kara's first field deployment, noting, "We can now comfortably enter and exit public transport vehicles, cinemas, theaters, courthouses, and publicly accessible areas. Awareness has significantly increased." She mentioned that some taxi drivers are reluctant to allow guide dogs into their vehicles and expressed a desire for greater sensitivity on this issue.
Tunçer remarked that her dog Kara assists and guides her every moment in her daily life, whether going to work or socializing.
