Guide dog Eddie has won the 16th annual American Humane Hero Dog Award

A world you cannot even see is a scary thought: when the familiar becomes unfamiliar. A lot of people with vision disabilities or blindness struggle with the mundane tasks of everyday life that we take for granted: stepping off a pavement, finding a staircase, moving through a crowded station or crossing a busy road. For someone living with vision loss, these everyday journeys can demand planning and concentration.

Not to mention, how isolating and fearful it must feel to go through life with one of our senses muted. Losing confidence in your ability to move around independently can make the world feel smaller.But, a guide dog can make it easier. They are trained to navigate obstacles, they offer more than help getting from one place to another.

They can restore independence, spontaneity and companionship. One such guide dog, Eddie, has won the 16th annual American Humane Hero Dog Award for helping handler Luis Rodriguez navigate daily life.