Oregon Patent of the Month – October 2022
Guide dogs help hundreds of thousands of people every day. They help those who are visually impaired to be more mobile and independent. These dogs are bred, raised, and trained by certified schools to help their humans safely navigate the world around them. With such important tasks, the connection between the human and dog is essential. In the sense of physical connection, we mean the harness. Ruff Wear, Inc. is aware of this importance and, with their expertise in performance dog gear, have designed specialty harnesses for guide dogs.
An essential function of a guide dog harness is to translate the movement and behavior of a guide dog to the user. This translation is the pillar of communication. Ruff Wear’s guide dog harness is focused on improving this communication process. By increasing communication, the handler can feel all subtle nuances of their dog’s movement. The design impacts both the harness and handle to achieve these nuances. Each component has several points of adjustment, allowing the handler to adjust and lock the angular orientation of their handle relative to the dog’s body. The handle is tightly connected to the attachment mechanism, so any turn or movement of the dog is transmitted through the handle, back to the handler.
Ruff Wear partners with accredited Guide Dog schools, ensuring their harnesses support the needs of all trained Guide Dogs. And while their patented communication system is essential, they also ensure the foam-padded harness is comfortable for the dog to wear throughout the day.
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