Our pups get their start at the Canine Development Center in Patterson, New York. At our Headquarters & Training Center in Yorktown Heights, New York, their journey continues as they learn to become a world-class Guiding Eyes guide dog.
Guiding Eyes is an international leader in breeding and genetics, with a program built upon best in class analysis of genetic data. Guiding Eyes chronicles millions of data points from every step of a dog’s life. Why? Because while Mother Nature often knows best, science can often help us know better. With the right information, we can make better breeding decisions to keep our colony growing and healthy for years to come.
Our Socialization programs are crucial in helping puppies get the right start on the long path to becoming guide dogs. A pup’s socialization experiences boost confidence and help develop simple, yet important, skills. In the Early Training & Socialization Program, on campus socializers introduce our youngest puppies to gentle massage, as well as new sounds and surfaces. Home Socializers give our puppies one-on-one attention while introducing them to new sights and sounds in a home environment.
Our team of volunteer puppy raisers brings puppies into their homes, providing hours of patient teaching of basic skills and numerous socialization experiences. Pups may stay in more than one home during their 12 to 18-month puppy-raising journey. Their care and guidance cultivates the confidence future guide dogs need as they prepare for a life changing partnership with an individual with vision loss. Our puppy raisers find this experience life-changing for them, as well.
The next step is assessment through a standard test called an IFT. Only dogs showing the self-confidence and composure necessary for guide work are assigned to begin guide dog training. These dogs have shown enthusiasm and desire to undertake the tasks of working in harness. Some dogs with exceptional qualities undergo additional testing to determine if they will join our elite Breeding Colony, so that they might pass on these desirable traits.
Dogs are assigned to a Guide Dog Mobility Instructor (GDMI) who will develop a relationship with the dog through play, obedience, and general time together. Training is a continuous process of teaching concepts in small steps and building upon lessons with repetitions in a variety of situations. A guide dog in training is ready for placement with a person with vision loss when the dog responds reliably and safely to all work situations.
Guiding Eyes is known for our ability to find the right dog for each person. Our training staff takes great care in matching our students with their guide dogs, taking into consideration walking pace, harness pull, lifestyle, personality, and more.
A Guiding Eyes guide dog helps individuals with vision loss gain the independence, confidence and freedom needed to experience all of life’s adventures.
Graduation is the culmination of training for our guide dog teams. When a Guiding Eyes graduate leaves campus and returns home with their new guide dog, it may be the end of class, but it is only the beginning of their life together. We provide each team with extraordinary support and follow-up assistance. Guiding Eyes is committed to caring for our guide dogs throughout their lives.
For an additional view of a pup’s journey, visit our April 2023 blog post featuring a narrated educational video.
We are committed to caring for our dogs from the moment of their birth throughout their lives.
Guiding Eyes for the Blind is approved by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501 (C) (3) tax-exempt organization, and all donations are tax deductible to the extent provided by law.
Guiding Eyes for the Blind Federal Identification Number (EIN) is 13-1854606.
© 2023 GUIDING EYES FOR THE BLIND PRIVACY POLICY | ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT
