Before You Arrive

A Guiding Eyes graduate will call you a week before class to make sure you’re all set.

For All Students

• What to bring
• Clothing
• Exercise
• Health Services
• Luggage
• Money
• Transportation
• Valuables

For Returning Graduates

• Your Harness

What to Bring

Here are suggestions for what to bring from home:

• Medical insurance card
• One month supply of medical supplies and prescriptions
• Personal toiletries
• Quarters for laundry machines
• Cash, personal checks, or travelers’ cheques in denominations no larger than twenty ($20) dollars
• Credit cards: MasterCard, Discover, American Express
• Easily transportable hobby equipment
• Musical instruments
• Reading material
• Cassette recorder with 20 hours of tape (to record lectures for home use)
• Casual clothes for 26 days
• Dress clothes
• Seasonable foul weather gear
• Broken-in walking shoes or sneakers
• Backpack, shoulder bag, or fanny pack

RETURNING STUDENTS: Dog harness

Clothing

• This is an informal place. Bring enough casual clothing for the 26-day training period.
• Yorktown Heights seasons can be extreme. You may experience unusually warm, humid summers, and very cold, snowy winters.
• Bring appropriate foul weather gear. Training sessions are held outdoors regardless of weather. .
• Bring sensible, comfortable broken-in walking shoes or sneakers. We do not recommend heels and open-toe shoes.
• Bring dress clothes for photographs, your graduation ceremony, a dinner at Guiding Eyes sponsored by a local Lions Club, and for religious services..
• Bring a backpack, shoulder bag, or fanny pack, rather than handbags. You must have both hands free when working with your Guiding Eyes dog.

Back to top

Exercise

• Be in the best possible physical shape before entering our program.
• Exercise before you come here to build strength and endurance; we suggest walks of up to three miles a day at a brisk pace
• You will be required to walk routes of up to one mile in length, twice a day. Some routes cover hilly terrain; some have broken sidewalks.
• Consult with your physician before starting any exercise program.

Back to top

Health Services

• You will be expected to independently manage your health needs.
• Guiding Eyes has a full-time nursing staff available to assist you with routine medical needs, provided to you at no charge.
• Bring your medical insurance card with you.
• Bring one month supply of all prescription medications, insulin, syringes, or other medical equipment. Be sure to pack your medications in your carry-on luggage if you are traveling by plane.
• Bring over-the-counter medications that you expect you may need.
• Medically Restricted Diets: Mail a copy of your dietary requirements to: ?? We will provide healthy snacks, coffee, tea, juice, and fruits to you at no charge.
• Injections: If you regularly self-inject medications, you may continue to do so or may request assistance. A Registered Nurse is available every morning and late afternoon.
• Significant Health Problems: If you have a significant health problem, the Director of Student Health Services may ask you to be examined by a Guiding Eyes consulting physician soon after your arrival,at Guiding Eyes’ expense. You are responsible for paying for subsequent diagnoses or treatments.

Direct your health-related questions to:
Ruby Leggett-O’Reilly, RN
Manager of Student Health Services
1-800-942-0149 ext. 2216
nursing@guidingeyes.org

Back to top

Luggage

• Special Guiding Eyes luggage tags will be mailed to you if you will travel by plane or train. Attach these identification tags (with your name and address) outside, as well as inside, your luggage.
• You are responsible for making sure your luggage is in the Guiding Eyes van before departing from the airport for the Training Center.
• No foot lockers or trunks.
• Pack an empty gym style bag, or leave room in your suitcase to accommodate the extra items that you will be bringing home: an 8-pound bag of dry dog food, grooming brush, and medication, and souvenirs or optional dog supplies you purchase.

Back to top

Money

• Bring cash, personal checks, or travelers’ cheques in denominations no larger than twenty ($20) dollars. You will use your money to purchase small personal items, candy, soda, and other incidentals.
• Guiding Eyes for the Blind will not cash third party checks.
• Guiding Eyes accepts American Express, MasterCard, Visa and Discover.
• You will have the option to purchase extra dog equipment as well as some veterinary supplies, class and individual photographs, and souvenirs.
• If you plan to do your own laundry, bring quarters; each machine costs $.50 per load.
• Change is available from the Reception Office Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Back to top

Transportation

• Your travel expenses and arrangements are paid for and managed by Guiding Eyes. We will review travel arrangements with you by phone before they are finalized.
• BY PLANE OR TRAIN: Guiding Eyes will meet you at the airport or train station and will bring you to the Training Center.
• NEW YORK CITY RESIDENTS: If you are not able to use public transportation to the Training Center, Guiding Eyes will arrange for your transportation door-to-door.

Back to top

Valuables

Do not bring valuables to the Training Center. Extra money may be locked in the school safe. The desk in your room has a privacy lock.

Back to top

For Returning Students: Your Harness

Guiding Eyes will issue you a new harness. Please return your old harness, as it can be used for training purposes.

Back to top