Dealing with the musculoskeletal problems of guide dog trainers and mobility instructors

Training dogs for blind and partially sighted persons is a left-handed job, creating one-sided loads on dog trainers/clients' mobility instructors:

• left wrist, forearm and elbow: maintenance of grip, application of force, forearm rotation;
• left shoulder (at socket): transverse extensions and medial rotations to limit the dog's movement; abduction at shoulder particularly with a “crabbing dog”;
• left shoulder (scapula and clavicle): all movements, especiall
• adduction, inferior rotation and elevation of the shoulder, when both giving signals to the dog and controlling its movements;
• low back: with handles of inappropriate length, particularly with a “crabbing dog”;
• left knee, potentially hip and ankle: asymmetrical weight bearing.

A high prevalence of MSDs and absenteeism was noticed, yet trainers/instructors were rarely aware of the risks. They enjoyed their jobs and considered “aches and pains” a part of it, which led to a high level of under-reporting of illness.