Final answer:
The evaluation of a service animal for a visually impaired individual should be performed by a medical professional. The Seeing Eye dogs, for instance, undergo extensive training and are constantly reinforced by their owners with the support of The Seeing Eye staff.
Step-by-step explanation:
The evaluation of a service animal's suitability, especially for a visually impaired donor, should be conducted by a medical professional. This professional has the requisite knowledge and training to assess whether the service animal can effectively meet the needs of its owner. In the case of a Seeing Eye dog, for example, the animal goes through a rigorous selection and training process. Starting as a puppy, it lives with a foster family to learn basic behavior and socialization. At about 13 to 19 months old, the dog then undergoes four months of intensive training with an individual instructor at the Seeing Eye campus, culminating in a final exam where it must successfully lead the instructor on a trip to New York City. Approximately 75 percent of these dogs pass and are subsequently matched with someone who is blind or visually impaired.
The comprehensive training continues when the new owner works with the dog and its instructor for an additional 25 days on campus. After the new owner and dog return home, ongoing reinforcement of the training is crucial, with the support of The Seeing Eye staff through telephone consultations and home visits if necessary. The process is evidence of the service animal's credibility and effectiveness, distinguishing it from other types of support animals, such as emotional support dogs.