Internationally accredited guide dog school providing greater independence, dignity, and new horizons of opportunity
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Admissions Questions

Click on Application Forms on the navigation bar to your left to apply on-line or to download an application to complete and mail in. Or, give us a call. We’re eager to get to know you and to help you get to know us. Please contact:

Bev Klayman
Manager of Admissions Services
800-942-0149 ext. 2222
admissions@guidingeyes.org

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What are the application requirements for getting a Guiding Eyes dog?

If you are 16 or older, legally blind, have the ability to travel independently with a white cane, and are ready and willing to accept the responsibilities of caring for a guide dog, you may be a candidate for a Guiding Eyes dog. For more information about your eligibility for a guide dog, please contact:

Bev Klayman
Manager of Admissions Services
800-942-0149 ext. 2222
admissions@guidingeyes.org

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I have other disabilities in addition to blindness. Can I apply?

Yes. Our innovative Special Needs Program provides guide dogs to people with disabilities in addition to blindness, such as hearing loss or orthopedic problems. Guide dogs for this program are specifically chosen and trained to compensate for these additional needs. For further information on our special needs program, please contact:

Andrea Martine
Special Needs Instructor
800-942-0149 X2247
amartine@guidingeyes.org

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I’ve never owned a dog before. Can I still apply for a guide dog?

Of course, you can. Part of the Guiding Eyes training includes everything you need to know, from simple health care to grooming, feeding, exercising, and working your dog.

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Can I request a specific breed, size, color or sex for my guide dog?

Yes. We always consider our applicants’ requests, with the understanding that Guiding Eyes’ first priority is to pair you with a dog that you can travel safely and effectively with. Please feel free to discuss your specific requests early in the application process.

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How much does it cost to get a guide dog?

There is no cost to our students to receive a guide dog. Training, travel, equipment, room and board and follow-up services are also provided free of charge. Donations from individuals, corporations, foundations, and service groups such as the Lions Clubs cover the $30,000 it costs to graduate a guide dog team.

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I don’t live in New York. Can I still attend your school?

Yes. Students come to our school from across the United States and Canada as well as from other countries.

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I live in a rural area with no sidewalks. Can I qualify for a guide dog?

Certainly. Instruction at Guiding Eyes includes travel in virtually all types of environments and exposes you and your dog to a variety of travel environments, including rural roads, small towns, large towns, college campuses, shopping malls, large cities (New York), buses, trains, subways (optional), and automobiles, to name a few.

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How long is your waiting list to get into class?

The time for placement within a class varies, however the average wait from the time you submit your application until you come into class is six months.

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Do I have to wait until I’m 16 years old before I begin the application process?

No, you can begin your application earlier, as long as you will have your 16th birthday before you come into training. There can be exceptions to this age requirement if an applicant can demonstrate the capability and responsibility to be a guide dog user before turning 16. However, our experience indicates that this is quite unusual.

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I have a relative/friend who is going blind. How can I get them a guide dog?

If a person meets our basic eligibilty criteria for applying, you may call on their behalf for general information. However, it is important that the relative or friend be the one to initiate a call to our Admissions Department to discuss the requirements with our Admissions Manager, request an application kit, and to ask any questions they may have. While you have the person’s interest at heart, they must make the important decision to pursue training with a guide dog on their own.

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I am blind and use a wheelchair. Can I apply?

At this time, Guiding Eyes cannot provide guide dogs to people who use wheelchairs. You must be able to walk independently a minimum of 4-6 blocks in order to be considered a candidate for either our regular class or Special Needs program.

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I am hearing impaired. Do I need your Special Needs program?

Each applicant receives a home interview with a Field Representative. During this interview, you are asked to walk familiar routes using your white cane. The routes should include some street crossings. The Field Rep will be able to determine whether or not your hearing impairment would qualify you for our Special Needs program. If you are able to hear the Representative talking from a short distance behind you (as an Instructor will do in the class), and you can make safe street crossing judgments, you may well be able to come into our regular class program. Unless you are deaf/blind, which program you will enter will be decided by the Admissions Commitee when your file is reviewed.

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I’m legally blind but I don’t use a cane. I’d like a guide dog because it is difficult for me to see at night. Can I apply?

If you have enough vision to travel safely without a cane, then a guide dog will not be an asset to you. In fact, your reliance on your remaining vision is likely to interfere with the guide dog’s work. Most people don’t do enough night travel to warrant having a guide dog for that purpose only. If and when you become a cane user, you may contact us to discuss applying for a guide dog.

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I already have a dog/cat/other pets. Can I still apply for a guide dog?

Absolutely! Many of our graduates have other pets, including but not limited to, retired guide dogs, other dogs, cats, ferrets, birds, goats and pigs (the latter two not necessarily in the house!) Our guide dogs are adaptable to households of all kinds. If you are concerned that your current pet(s) may not get along with a guide dog, our Field Representative will be able to advise you on this during the home interview.

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I’m 80 years old. Am I too old to apply for a guide dog?

Not at all. There is no upper age limit, provided you can walk independently using a cane, travel a minimum of 4-6 blocks without needing to stop and rest, and are in reasonably sound health.

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I’m moving soon. Should I go ahead and apply now?

Probably not. Since you will need to become familiar with your new neighborhood before obtaining a guide dog, we would advise you to move first, then contact us for an application.

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What are some reasons the Admissions Committee might not approve my application?

Some of the more common reasons for deferment are lack of adequate orientation and mobility skills, poor or unstable health, or too much vision (i.e. visual dependency). Whenever there is the possibility that an applicant can resolve the issue that causes deferment, we leave the door open for them to contact us for reconsideration.

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Have a question?

Email us at admissions@guidingeyes.org

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Guiding Eyes for the Blind
611 Granite Springs Road, Yorktown Heights, NY 10598, +1-800-942-0149
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