Home Foster a Guide Dog in Training

We are looking for local families or individuals who would welcome one of our exceptional dogs into their homes and provide a safe and loving environment. As a HOME FOSTER, you will drop off the dog you are caring for at the Yorktown Training School (Yorktown Heights, NY) each Monday through Friday.  The dog will spend their day training with their Guide Dog Mobility Instructor (GDMI) and be available for pick up to return to your home each evening.  HOME FOSTERS will have the opportunity to learn basic dog behavior and training from our Guide Dog Mobility Instructor staff. Veterinary care, dog food and supplies will be provided.

Please join our family of volunteers, knowing that the Guide Dog-in-Training you foster in your home, will bring independence, confidence, companionship and freedom to a blind or visually impaired person in the future.

Requirements

If you live locally to our Yorktown, NY campus, we hope you will consider becoming a Home Foster volunteer.  Please read through the important information and Program Manual provided below, to make an informed decision. We’re also available to talk through any questions you may have, so please feel free to contact our Volunteer Manager at volunteer@guidingeyes.org.

Home Fosters must:

  • be able to transport the dog to the Yorktown campus, Monday through Friday during the hours of 6:30AM – 8:30AM.
  • be able to pick up the dog at the Yorktown campus, Monday through Friday during the hours of 4:30PM – 6:30PM.
  • provide a safe and loving environment evenings and weekends.
  • be able to commit to a period of two to four months
  • be physically capable of handling a 50-70 lb. dog
  • be able to provide proof of updated vaccines for any dogs in your household.
  • keep the dog leashed at all times when outside.
  • attend a 2 hour training session.
Home Foster Program Manual

Home Foster Application

Thank you for your interest!  Before applying to volunteer as a Home Foster, please review the Requirements and Home Foster Manual provided above.  

Home Foster Volunteer Application










Emergency Contact: Contact Name and telephone numbers will be available to staff for emergency purposes.  Please remember to update us in the event this information changes.





Additional Information (optional):

The following information is optional and will help Guiding Eyes for the Blind get to know you better. Please feel free to share as much as you like. Sometimes this information assists us in placing you as a volunteer. Sometimes when we get unusual requests or are seeking volunteers with a specific skill set we refer back to this information.  Please feel free to share as much as you like.







As part of our volunteer application process, Guiding Eyes for the Blind, Inc. will conduct reference and criminal background checks on all volunteer applicants. Please contact the Volunteer Department if you would like to provide additional information that may assist in these areas. Any information collected during this process will be kept confidential.

I authorize Guiding Eyes for the Blind, Inc. to obtain my background report. I also agree that a copy of this form is valid like the signed original.  I understand that, as allowed by law, Guiding Eyes for the Blind, Inc. may rely on this authorization to order additional background reports, during my volunteer engagement with the organization without asking me for my authorization again.  I understand the Company may order a background report under my legal name and any other names I may have used.

Contact Information

Have a question? Email us at volunteer@guidingeyes.org.
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