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Guiding Eyes for the Blind does not discriminate against any applicant for admission to our guide dog programs based on race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, gender or any other factor prohibited under local, state or federal laws. Providing race and/or ethnicity information is optional and used for statistical purposes only. As part of the application process, Guiding Eyes for the Blind, Inc. may conduct reference and criminal background checks on all applicants. Contact the Admissions Department if you would like to provide us with background information that will assist in these areas. Any information collected during the application process will be kept confidential.
Your complete answers to the application questions will help Guiding Eyes for the Blind get to know you and help us to assess your ability to successfully train and use a guide dog. Information requested includes your contact details, history of Orientation & Mobility Training plus any Guide Dog training, a description of your routine travels, your expectations/limitations and a health summary. An * at the beginning of a word means the information is required. Once you begin answering questions on the application and want to save the information you have entered, there is a "save your responses and resume editing later" checkbox at the top of the screen, you must have an email address to save your responses and resume editing later.
Upon completing the application click the "Continue" button at the bottom of the screen. A "Please Review your responses and Confirm" screen will appear. At the bottom of the screen you have options to Make a correction, Print, or Confirm. Once you click Confirm you can no longer make changes. After confirming, a Release of Information Form will appear. This form authorizes Guiding Eyes for the Blind’s request for your professional service information from Other Guide Dog Schools (if attended) and/or Orientation and Mobility Training. Typing your name and clicking the 'type your name to sign' checkbox, generates an electronic signature. You must have an email address to receive a validation email to confirm your signature.
The application begins on the next page. Please acknowledge you have read and understand the Non-Discrimination and Privacy Statement by clicking the Next Page button at the bottom of this screen.
Residential Program: Three-week program held at our training center in Yorktown heights, NY. Students have their own room and bath, equipped with a TV and refrigerator. Training begins on our campus and progresses to nearby towns and cities. Eventually, students train in custom locations which can include New York City to individually prepare them for their home environment.
Home Training Program: In order to qualify for Home Training, you must demonstrate a reason why you cannot attend our Residential Program. For example: Child Care, Work Obligations, Caring for an Elderly Parent, etc. Our Home Training program may be an option for both first-time and repeat guide dog users. Training will be conducted in your home environment for 10-15 days depending your experience working with a Guide Dog.
Special Needs Program: Students can be served through the Residential or Home Training Programs. Special Needs instructors design training programs suited to accommodate each student’s individual needs. These instructors are also trained in tactile American Sign Language to communicate with those who are DeafBlind.
ACTION Program – for experienced Guide Dog users: If a student is already a guide dog user, he or she can consider the ACTION Program. ACTION students train for ten days at Guiding Eyes, and then return home for several days of training with a Guiding Eyes instructor.
There is no cost to our training program. Graduates can expect to pay $80-$100 per month in dog food costs. We provide a stipend to every graduate of $200 to $300 per calendar year to cover basic veterinary care for their working guide dog (this does not apply to retired guide dogs). Graduates are responsible for veterinary costs that exceed this stipend. Keep in mind as well that, like people, most dogs require more veterinary care as they age.
Upon submission of this application you will receive an email with additional forms including a medical form for all applicants and a vision report for first time applicants only. These forms should be filled out by your doctor's please print them out or forward them. We are happy to mail them to you if you prefer to have them sent please contact the Admissions Department at 914-243-2222 or e-mail admissions@guidingeyes.org.
It is important that you return any additional forms to us as soon as possible so that we can present your application to the Admissions Committee for review.
Completing this application places neither Guiding Eyes for the Blind, Inc, or yourself under any obligation. Any applicant denied admissions may appeal the decision through our appeals process or subsequently reapply.
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