The relationship between dogs and blind people dates back to ancient times. But its modern history began after the World War I when a German doctor trained them to help thousands of soldiers who lost their vision. The world’s first training center was established in Potsdam, Germany, in 1921 and then other cities in the country as people began to learn about dogs’ ability to guide the blind. But the guide dog movement expanded internationally through a wealthy American woman named Dorothy Harr

It all started with one man’s wish to share his joy of companionship with dogs. In 1993 Samsung Group launched Korea’s first training school for dogs for guiding the blind, search and rescue, and therapy assistance. Behind the endeavor is its chairman, Lee Kun-hee, 71, renowned for his love of dogs.“Dogs have been a source of great comfort and happiness in my life, so I encourage people to interact more with dogs,” he wrote in an essay published at a local newspaper in 1997. It was when he was s