Source: Moscow Metro
The first guide dog training sessions of the year have taken place in the Moscow Metro, with 12 future service dogs beginning their lessons.
Since 2014, more than 400 guide dogs have been trained in the metro under the supervision of inspectors from the Passenger Mobility Center and specialists from the Guide Dog Training School of the All Russia Association of the Blind.
During training, dogs learn to pass through turnstiles, go up and down escalators, and retrieve dropped items. They quickly adapt to noise and large crowds. After completing their training, these four-legged assistants navigate the metro with ease and remain calm in busy environments.
Dog breeds such as Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd, and East European Shepherd are best suited for the role of guide dogs.
“We are developing passenger services in urban transport following the directive of Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin. In 2025, 40 guide dogs will undergo training in the Moscow Metro. The first 12 dogs have already started their training, and in the future, they will assist blind and visually impaired passengers in traveling safely,” — said Maksim Liksutov, Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Transport and Industry.