(Photo | Courtesy of Ruffwear)
Ruffwear has announced the development of an assistance harness for the visually impaired, along with a full line of products specifically designed for working dogs. For more than 20 years, Ruffwear has supported working dogs and their handlers. Working together with organizations like Wasatch Backcountry Rescue, Colorado Rapid Avalanche Deployment, Conservation Canines and Guiding Eyes for the Blind, Ruffwear has worked to better understand the job these dogs do and provide the gear they need to perform.
UniFly Harness. The UniFly is more than a guide dog harness — it’s the unique line of communication between a human and their guide dog as they navigate everyday life. It allows the handler to feel the subtle nuances of the guide dog’s movement, enhancing feedback exchange. Both harness and handle feature several points of adjustment and connect at a single, easy-to-use attachment point. The lightweight, padded harness has an internal frame that moves with the dog, free of distractive rubbing or chaffing, and equipping them to lead the way in comfort and confidence.
The UniFly System is the culmination of 22 years of conversations, collaborations, partnerships, testing iterations, learning and discovering. The result is something that has never been done before and something that represents who Ruffwear is at its core: Freedom. Companionship.
“We believe in and support the critical role of working dogs in our society,” said Patrick Kruse, founder and lead designer at Ruffwear. “Highly trained service dogs mean freedom for humans with disabilities. The dogs who perform these critical tasks are partners, in every way, for the humans that rely on them to enjoy life to the fullest. The partnerships that we have been able to engage in over our 25 years has provided so much fulfillment to me and the team at Ruffwear. We look forward to seeing how UniFly and the rest of our working dog product line will make both people’s and dogs’ lives better.”
“For the past 35,000 years, humans and dogs have developed a very special emotional bond. The UniFly celebrates our connection with dogs in a very purposeful way. The thoughtful design embodies the evolution of our natural desire to feel connected,” said Thomas Panek, president and CEO of Guiding Eyes for the Blind. Throughout the years, many of Ruffwear’s consumer products have been designed, inspired and influenced by these unique relationships. As a young company in the nineties, these partnerships and learning experiences helped shape the brand’s journey toward who it is today.
Additional New Spring 2019 Products for Working & Service Dogs
Audible Beacon. Waterproof, rechargeable safety light with audible accessibility.
Guide Dog Pouch. Attaches to guide dog harness handle and keeps small essentials.
Guide Dog Sign. Identifies working dog and carries small essentials.
Access ID Vest. A comfortable and functional identification vest for service dogs that presents a professional appearance.
Protégé Vest. Functional identification vest for working dogs in training communicates to public and signals to dog that it’s time to work.
Treat Trader. Waist-worn treat bag for hands-free training and quick access to treats.
Huck-a-Cone. Inspired by rewarding play between avalanche rescue dogs and handlers during training.
Ruffwear’s mission is to build performance dog gear to enhance and inspire exploration for outdoor adventurers and their human companions. For nearly 25 years, Ruffwear Performance Dog Gear has combined technology, quality, fit, function and safety to facilitate its belief that every dog is an explorer.
Ruffwear is committed to enhancing the lives of all dogs and their human companions through relationships with Best Friends Animal Society and The Conservation Alliance. Through its Ruff Adventure Dog Adoption Program with Best Friends, Ruffwear covers the cost of adoption fees and travel expenses for newly adopted dogs from the Kanab, Utah sanctuary, as well as a new Ruffwear collar and leash to go home with. By protecting wild places for their habitat and recreation values through membership in The Conservation Alliance, Ruffwear works to ensure there are plenty of wild, open spaces for dogs and their humans to enjoy together.
Based in Bend, Oregon, Ruffwear sells its products through specialty pet and outdoor retailers as well as at ruffwear.com.
ruffwear.com • mailto:kate@revolutionhousemedia.com • 603-828-1050
