News
Improving the Ergonomics of the Guide Dog Harness – Deakin University Occupational Therapy Student Project
From July to September 2025, Deakin University Occupational Therapy (OT) students Ella Wallace and Bridie Taylor undertook a unique and impactful project placement with Guide Dogs Victoria (GDV); exploring ergonomic improvements for guide dog harnesses.
Under the guidance of OT supervisors Danette Poon and Kerryn Bousfield, and with generous support from the Guide Dog Mobility (GDM) team, Orientation & Mobility (O&M) specialist, and clients, the students tackled a lesser-known but meaningful issue; how to make guide dog harnesses more accessible and comfortable for users with upper limb conditions.
The Challenge
While more ergonomically designed guide dog harnesses exist internationally, they are not readily available in Victoria and often come with a high price tag. For some guide dog handlers living with conditions such as arthritis or other upper limb impairments, the standard harness can present significant challenges and discomfort, potentially impacting their independence and mobility.
Ella and Bridie’s project focused on identifying affordable, locally available modifications and interventions that GDV practitioners could implement to better support clients with physical needs beyond vision loss.
Project Outcomes
The students produced a set of comprehensive fact sheets designed as a practical resource for GDV teams. These materials outline recommended modifications, assistive strategies, and ergonomic considerations for guide dog harness use. The goal is to improve comfort, usability, and accessibility without relying on expensive overseas solutions.
Danette and Kerryn had the opportunity to attend Ella and Bridie’s presentation at their student conference, and it was clear that this project had an element of uniqueness that set it apart from other projects.
A big thank you to everyone who contributed their time and expertise to support this valuable project, especially the Guide Dog teams, clients, and of course, Ella and Bridie for their commitment and creativity.
Ella and Bridie presenting their projects.
