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Objectives

To enhance knowledge about guide dog services across the United States.
To gain an understanding of what requirements are needed for a client to get a guide dog.
To increase knowledge in what dog guide services are in the US.

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Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation (IGF mem.)

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Fildelco Guide Dog Foundation

In Connecticut
German Shepherds only
Provides guide dogs only
Potential graduate: legally blind, have had O and M training, physical requirements
Service Area: lower United States

Home training 10 days if grad and 15 days if new
No veterinary reimbursement
Places about 35 dogs a year
Follow up for grads
Open to in person tours on the small campus for O and M instructors if asked
Breeding GSD for other schools and then became a school in 1981.
Closed admissions currently

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Guiding Eyes for the Blind (IGF mem.)

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Guiding Eyes for the Blind

In New York
Labs and some German Shepherds
Provides Guide Dogs only
Service area: North America
Campus and home training options/Class 2 weeks. About 4 students in class 2:1 ratio
Eligible: legally blind, benefit from a guide, physical requirements and 16 or older

Specialized training program: Deafblind and additional disability(es).
Vet assistance program
Graduate follow-up program/regions
Graduate council
Support for COMS in field provided by GDMIs.
Dog training length 4-6months

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GEB Running Guide Program

Only program in the nation who will train a guide dog to run up to 5-miles.

“Klinger has made such a huge difference –I am no longer running off the path and don’t have to worry about distracted drivers.” Richard Hunter (People 2015)

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Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind Inc. (IGDF)

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Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind Inc.

In New York
Breeds Labs , Goldens. Lab/Golden cross, Poodles
Provides guide dogs and other service dogs
North America and international placement
Training Options Campus and home training (if needed)
Dog Training 3-4 month
Graduate follow up

Class is 2-Weeks long
Eligibility: Legally bind and meet physical standards and 18 yrs old
Accepts other disabilities and can provide dual trained dogs
Vestiary Partnership and stipend
Graduate support rep in Portland, OR

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Freedom Guide Dogs (IGDF)

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Freedom Guide Dogs

In New York
Labs, smooth coated collies, Bovier des Flandres, and “Lollies” Lab/Collie cross
Training Options: Home-training/customized training for clients needs-2 yr wait list
Eligibility: Legally blind with physical standard, at least 16
Service area: Maine to Florida, serve veterans through US

Has a special needs program and will work with clients with all disabilities with visual impairment
Dog training length around 4-5 months
Class length 10-14 days (home)
Clients need to be financially able to support vet cost
Follow up services for clients

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The seeing Eye (IGDF)

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The Seeing Eye

New Jersey, 1^st school in America 1929
Labs, Goldens, German Shepherds and lab/golden cross
Cost $150 1^st dog and $50 for successor dog
Service area USA and Canada
Campus only
Class size around 24 students, class length 2.5-3.5 weeks

Eligibility 16 yrs or older, a degree of vision that will NOT interfere with the dog, and physical standards.
Hearing standards sufficient to working with a dog.
MUST have O and M training before you arrive
Youth Seminars (4-day program)
O and M CEU’s University level only

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Dogs Inc (formally Southeastern). (IGDF)

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Dogs Inc.

Florida
Labs and lab/golden cross
Guide dogs and service dogs
Service area: US only
Training options: Campus and hybrid (campus/home) on a client-by-client basis
Class: 20 days on campus, vary for home training, skill based
O and M skills needed prior to application

No specialized training program , but have instructor fluent in ASL
Veterinary assistance for emergencies
Graduate follow up
Camp for teens (4x times a year). 2-day stay on campus
Eligibility: 15 and above, legally blind, physical standards, and shows a need
Other types of service/highly trained pets for people with disabilities.

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Pilot dogs for the Blind (IGDF)

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Pilot Dogs for the Blind

Ohio
Supported by Lion’s club
Guide dogs and service dogs
Labs, goldens, poodles, German Shepherds
Service area: North America
Class types: campus and very limited home training
Class:1^st time 3 weeks, returning student 2 weeks (17 days)
If living in Columbus Ohio home training is an option

Eligibility: 16 years or older, legally blind, and physical expectations. The amount of hearing or impact of another disability
Veterinary reimbursement for routine medical , also for dog food
Graduate follow up services
O and M classes to anyone legally blind
O and M program for individuals and CEU credit

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Leader dogs for the Blind

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Leader Dogs for the Blind

Michigan
Supported by Lion’s club
Labs, Golden, and lab/golden cross
Service Area North America and International
Eligibility: 16 years or older, legally blind, physically healthy, and shows a need
Class types: campus, home, flex
Class length: 3-weeks on campus and variable to student needs. Up to 24 clients in class
In home 7-14 days instruction depends on client

Specialized training, including deafblind program and adaptive services
Offer GPS training
Graduate follow up
Veterinary assistance , initial vet visit, clients to cover routine costs /flea /tick, and heart guard
COMS CEU trainings
Youth camps/teen O and M in 9^th grade
O and M training/skills for anyone on campus and in home
Spanish interpreters

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Guide Dogs of the Desert (IGDF)

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Guide Dogs of the Desert

California
Labs and Poodles
Guide dogs and service dogs
Eligibility: 18 years or older, legally blind, can handle a dog and physical requirements
Service area: United States and international
Training options: home 10-14 days or campus
Class length: 28-days on campus, 6 students 3-4 times a year

Graduate follow up
Clients need to be financially able to pay for vet, Emergency fund
Presentations with local O and M and in schools.
Specials needs program in home and customized for every need of each client
Waitlist 2 years
More poodles in kennels at moment than labs

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Guide Dogs of America (IGDF)

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Guide Dogs of America

California
Labs, Goldens, lab/golden cross
Guide dogs and service dogs
Service Area US and Canada
Training Options: personalized, campus
Class: 3 weeks

Graduate follow up
Vet care at their campus only
Local in person training for COMS in the area
Eligibility 18 and above, independent, and legally bind
Specialized training no DB training can specialize trainee on a case-by-case basis.

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Guide Dogs for the Blind Inc. (IGDF)

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Guide Dogs for the Blind

Oregon/California (2 campuses)
Lab, Golden, Lab/golden cross
Services area: US/Canada
Class offerings: Campus, selective home training
Class length 2-weeks
Offer O and M immersion program, K9 buddy program

Eligibility: No age requirements but need to be responsible and able to communicate with a dog. Legal blindness and benefit from a guide dog.
Graduate follow up services, including veterinary financial assistance
Courses for COMS and students, summer camp for youth

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