The effect that guide dogs have on the quality of life (QOL) of the visually impaired has not yet been scientifically evaluated. Therefore, the current study aimed to compare differences in the QOL of visually impaired persons when using a guide dog with the QOL when using a cane in order to clarify the actual impact of guide dog use on QOL. The study collected data from 17 participants all of whom had used a cane for more than 5 years and a guide dog for not more than 15 years. The QOL Measurement Scale for the Visually Impaired, as standardized by Mochizuki (1998) was used to measure the QOL. The measurement instrument contains a total of 63 items grouped into the following nine subscales: Ⅰ Health, II Personal Relationships, Ⅲ Family, Ⅳ Lifestyle, V Social Environment, VI Work, VII Social Participation, Ⅷ Personal Financial Situation, Ⅸ Leisure Time. An analysis of statistics obtained revealed the following results : 1) QOL was higher when using a guide dog than when using a cane. 2) Among the nine subscales, satisfaction was higher when using a guide dog for the following four subscales: Health, Lifestyle, Social Environment and Social Participation. 3) Among the 63 items, sat isfaction was significantly higher when using a guide dog for the following: "1 can travel to work / school without difficulty," "1 can participate in social activities organized by volunteers and others," "1 feel that 1 have received some new benefits as a results my disability." The results show that guide dogs have a positive effect on the QOL, particularly regarding improved mobility, interaction with society and psychological satisfaction.