Guiding Eyes has puppy raisers along the Eastern Seaboard, stretching from Maine to North Carolina, and west to Ohio. Puppy raisers are organized into groups that we call Puppy Raising Regions, and most raisers live within an hour of region class locations.
Review the regions in your state to determine which is most convenient to you.
Puppy raising classes are held on Tuesdays in Southbury and surrounding areas. Please contact the Region Coordinator for class time and location.
Meet the volunteers of the Central CT Region on Facebook.
Maribeth Stolfi, Region Coordinator
centralctregion@guidingeyes.net
Maureen Hollis, Regional Puppy Instructor
(845) 490-0143
Puppy Raising classes are held on Saturday mornings at Ledyard Congregational Church in Ledyard. Please contact our Region Coordinators to reserve your place in these fun and informative classes. Help raise a puppy that will become someone’s Guiding Eyes!
Meet the volunteers of the Eastern CT Region on Facebook.
Jim and Valerie Hazlin, Region Coordinators
(860) 464-6286
easternctregion@guidingeyes.net
Maureen Hollis, Regional Puppy Instructor
(845) 490-0143
Puppy Raising classes are held on Monday evenings in either Granby or Avon. Please call the Region Coordinator for details and to reserve your place in these fun, informative classes. Time to do something extraordinary – raise a puppy that will become someone’s Guiding Eyes.
Meet the volunteers of the NCT Region on Facebook.
Rachael Ruggiero, Region Coordinator
(860) 966-6144
northernctregion@guidingeyes.net
Maureen Hollis, Regional Puppy Instructor
(845) 490-0143
Puppy raising classes are held on Saturday mornings. Class locations rotate between Deep River, Guilford and Wallingford, and East Haven. Please contact us for additional information and class locations and dates.
Meet the volunteers of the SCT Region on Facebook.
Maureen Hollis, Regional Puppy Instructor
southernctregion@guidingeyes.net
(845) 490-0143
Puppy raising classes are held on Thursdays evenings in the Westport/Wilton, CT area.
Meet the volunteers of the SWCT Region on Facebook.
Maureen Hollis, Regional Puppy Instructor
(845) 490-0143
southwesternctregion@guidingeyes.net
Puppy Raising classes are held on Wednesday evenings in Middletown, DE. Please contact us if you are interested in finding out more about raising a future guide dog or becoming a puppy sitter for our raisers when they are on vacation!
Meet volunteers from the Delmarva Region on Facebook.
Diane Grier, Inquiries & Applications
delmarvaregion@guidingeyes.net
Our Maine region is divided into a northern and a southern region. Classes are held twice a month. In the northern region, classes generally in Belfast and are scheduled the second and fourth Thursdays of the month. In the southern region, we meet in the greater Portland area on the second and fourth Fridays of the month. Please contact us for specific dates and times and for more information on our puppy raising program. Time to do something extraordinary – raise a puppy that will become someone’s Guiding Eyes.
Learn more about the Maine Puppy Raising Region on Facebook.
Janet Amberger, Inquiries & Applications
maineregion@guidingeyes.net
Puppy raisers meet on Tuesday evenings in Owings Mills and other nearby towns. Please contact Region Team member Holly Voelker, if you would like to attend!
Meet volunteers from the Baltimore Region on Facebook.
Holly Voelker, Region Team Member
(410) 583-7551
baltimoreregion@guidingeyes.net
Jeanyne Gembarski, Regional Puppy Instructor
(301) 767-6487
jgembarski@guidingeyes.org
Puppy raising classes are held on Monday evenings in Bowie, MD. Please contact us if you are interested in finding out more about raising a future guide dog!
Meet volunteers from the Bay Region on Facebook.
Paige Ritter, Inquiries & Applications
bayregion@guidingeyes.net
Cindy Tait, Regional Puppy Instructor
914-419-0548
ctait@guidingeyes.org
Puppy classes are held every Thursday evening in Frederick, Maryland. Please contact Nancy or Kim if you are interested in visiting a class and/or would like more information about raising a future guidedog.
Meet volunteers from the Catoctin Region on Facebook.
Nancy Waites, Co-Region Coordinator
catoctinregion@guidingeyes.net
Kim Halsey, Co-Region Coordinator
(610) 360-0637
catoctinregion@guidingeyes.net
Jeanyne Gembarski, Regional Puppy Instructor
(301) 767-6487
jgembarski@guidingeyes.org
Puppy Raising classes are held on the Tuesday evenings in Easton, MD. Please contact us if you are interested in finding out more about raising a future guide dog!
Meet volunteers from the Delmarva Region on Facebook.
Diane Grier, Inquiries & Applications
delmarvaregion@guidingeyes.net
Puppy raising classes are held on Sundays Bethesda. Help give the gift of freedom to a person who is visually impaired or blind.
Meet the volunteers from the Montgomery Region on Facebook.
Jane Santy, Co-Region Coordinator
(240)-423-3682 or cell (301)-299-4494
montgomeryregion@guidingeyes.net
Jeanyne Gembarski, Regional Puppy Instructor
(301) 767-6487
jgembarski@guidingeyes.org
Puppy raising classes are held on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month at various locations throughout eastern Massachusetts. Pre-placement classes, designed to introduce you to puppy raising, are held 2-3 times a year. Please contact us for additional information or to observe one of our classes. Join us in this life changing opportunity of raising a future guide dog.
Meet the volunteers of the Eastern Massachusetts Region on Facebook.
Lynn Stas, Region Coordinator
(617) 852-5448
easternmaregion@guidingeyes.net
Brian Payne, Inquiries & Applications
easternmaregion@guidingeyes.net
Puppy Raising classes are held Sunday mornings and rotate between Concord and Nashua. Please contact the Region Coordinator for specific dates and times and for more information on our puppy raising program. Time to do something extraordinary – raise a puppy that will become someone’s Guiding Eyes!
Meet the volunteers of the New Hampshire Region on Facebook.
Bill LeBlanc, Region Coordinator
(603) 801-2117
Sandy Mun, Region Team Helper
email preferred
newhampshireregion@guidingeyes.net
Michelle Russell, Inquiries & Applications
newhampshireregion@guidingeyes.net
Puppy Raising Classes are held on Sunday evenings in Boonton, NJ and surrounding local areas. Pre-placement classes, designed to prepare you for raising a puppy to become someone’s Guiding Eyes, are currently being held virtually.
Meet volunteers from the Northern New Jersey Region.
Olivia Miller, Region Coordinator
northernnjregion@guidingeyes.net
Liz Vacchiano, Regional Puppy Instructor
(914)-523-7394
evacchiano@guidingeyes.org
Puppy raising classes held twice monthly on Wednesdays at 5:30pm at the United Methodist Christ Church, 54 Bay St., Glens Falls. Please call for additional information and to reserve your place in these fun and informative classes! Do something extraordinary, raise a future guide dog!
Meet volunteers from the Adirondack NY Region on Facebook.
Barb Paszul, Region Coordinator
adirondackregion@guidingeyes.net
Kate Gardner, Regional Puppy Instructor
kgardner@guidingeyes.org
Puppy Raising classes and Pre-Placement Puppy Classes are designed to prepare you for raising a puppy to become someone’s Guiding Eyes. Classes are held two Monday evenings per month at the Lisha’s Kill Reformed Church , 2131 Central Avenue, Colonie, NY. For more information on class times or raising a puppy in the Capital region, please contact the regional leaders listed below.
Meet the volunteers of the Capital NY Region on Facebook.
Naomi Barkevich, Team Member
Ann Halburian, Region Coordinator
Puppy raising classes are held every 3rd Monday of each month and alternate between the Arcade area and Olean, NY at 6pm.
Meet volunteers from the Cattaraugus Region on Facebook.
Dawn Fiegl, Region Coordinator
(585) 322-4149
cattaraugusregion@guidingeyes.net
Susan Cooper, Region Coordinator
(716) 373-2655
cattaraugusregion@guidingeyes.net
Classes are held on alternating Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings. Please contact one of the Region Coordinators listed below for a schedule of classes. Most classes held in the immediate Syracuse area.
Meet the volunteers of the Central NY Region on Facebook.
Sarah Riester, Co-Region Coordinator
centralnyregion@guidingeyes.net
Mary Oonk, Co-Region Coordinator
centralnyregion@guidingeyes.net
Classes are held on Wednesday evenings at the Canine Development Center in Patterson, NY or at a nearby location. Please contact the Region Coordinator for class time and location.
Meet volunteers from the Dutchess Region on Facebook.
Kathi Carey, Region Coordinator
dutchessregion@guidingeyes.net
Liz Vacchiano, Regional Puppy Instructor
(914) 523-7394
evacchiano@guidingeyes.org
Puppy Raising Classes are held on the second and fourth Monday of each month at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 55 Pleasant Ave, Lancaster,NY 14086 or at a nearby location. Please contact your Region Coordinator for additional information.
Meet volunteers from the Erie Region on Facebook.
Dianne Ende, Region Coordinator
(716) 480-1086
erieregion@guidingeyes.net
Foundations Classes held at the Cornell Veterinary School Atrium, Cornell Campus, Ithaca, NY. Please contact Deb for class times.
Meet volunteers from the Fingerlakes Region on Facebook.
Shannon Doubet, Region Coordinator
Deborah Watrous, Region Team Member
fingerlakesregion@guidingeyes.net
Classes held alternating Thursday evenings either at St. James Episcopal Church, 305 Main Street, Oneonta, NY (parking behind the church off Elm Street) or at locations around Oneonta. Please contact the Region Coordinator or Regional Manager for class dates, times, and locations.
Meet the volunteers of the Leatherstocking Region on Facebook.
Amy Blechman, Region Coordinator
leatherstockingregion@guidingeyes.net
MeKalea Chambliss, Regional Puppy Instructor
mchambliss@guidingeyes.org
Monroe Region classes meet on Tuesday evenings in the Rochester area. Please contact our region team for specific locations, dates, and times.
Meet volunteers from the Monroe Region on Facebook.
Karie Livingston, Region Coordinator
monroeregion@guidingeyes.net
Cassie Houghton, Regional Puppy Instructor
choughton@guidingeyes.org
Puppy raising classes are held on the first and third Wednesdays of each month at 6:00PM at United Presbyterian Church, 150 Main Street, Hornell, NY. (Parking on Church Street)
Meet volunteers from the Southern Tier Region on Facebook.
Shawn Carstens, Region Coordinator
southerntierregion@guidingeyes.net
Sandy Shaw, Ass’t Region Coordinator
(585) 335-2628
southerntierregion@guidingeyes.net
Elizabeth Williams, Ass’t Region Coordinator
southerntierregion@guidingeyes.net
Puppy Raising Classes are held the first and third Tuesday evening of the month at various locations throughout Wayne, Ontario and Seneca Counties. Pre-placement classes, designed to prepare you for raising a puppy to become someone’s Guiding Eyes, are held quarterly. Please contact the Region Coordinator to find out more.
Meet volunteers and pups from the Wayne County Region on Facebook.
Elizabeth Walker, Region Coordinator
waynecountyregion@guidingeyes.net
Puppy Raising Classes are held on Monday evenings in Yorktown, NY and surrounding local areas. Pre-placement classes, designed to prepare you for raising a puppy to become someone’s Guiding Eyes, are held at our Canine Development Center in Patterson, NY. Please contact us to find out more or to attend these fun and informative classes.
Meet volunteers from the Westchester Region on Facebook.
Alissa Phillips, Region Coordinator
westchesterregion@guidingeyes.net
Liz Vacchiano, Regional Puppy Instructor
(914) 523-7394
evacchiano@guidingeyes.org
Raise a Puppy to become someone’s Guiding Eyes! Puppy raising classes are held in the Raleigh Area on Wednesday evenings. Classes alternate between locations in Cary, Raleigh and Durham and raisers live within an hour of class locations. If a class is due to be held at an outside location and the weather forecast is calling for rain, the site will be changed to a location in Cary that will have protection from the elements. An e-mail will go out to our distribution list by 4:00 PM the day of class.
Meet the volunteers from the North Carolina region on Facebook.
Sherry Dodson, Region Coordinator
(919) 642-0185
northcarolinaregion@guidingeyes.net
Laura Daniels, NC Region Communication
(919) 522-1890
Pre-Puppy Placement classes and Puppy Team classes usually meet every Thursday evening from 6pm to 9pm at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 276 East Bagley Road, Berea OH 44017. Interested individuals should confirm the class schedule for a particular evening. Please contact us if you are interested in attending.
Meet volunteers from the Cleveland West Region on Facebook.
Macy Nauman, Regional Puppy Instructor
clevelandwestregion@guidingeyes.net
Puppy classes are held weekly on Wednesdays from 7:00 to 9:00 pm at Hrynik House, 21639 Miles Road, North Randall, Ohio. If you are interested, please contact us.
Meet volunteers from the Cleveland East Region on Facebook.
Suzan Bocciarelli, Region Coordinator
(440) 286-6255
clevelandeastregion@guidingeyes.net
Macy Nauman, Regional Puppy Instructor
clevelandwestregion@guidingeyes.net
Puppy classes meet Tuesday from 6pm to 7pm and the first and third Tuesdays from 7pm to 8pm at University Baptist Church, 50 W. Lane Ave., Columbus, OH 43231. Please contact Janet if you are interested in attending.
Meet the volunteers from the Columbus Region on Facebook.
Janet Newcity, Region Coordinator
(614) 457-4656
columbusregion@guidingeyes.net
Puppy classes are held in the East Greenwich area on Wednesdays. Contact us for specific dates and times of puppy classes and for more information. Time to do something extraordinary – raise a puppy that will become someone’s Guiding Eyes.
Meet the volunteers of the Rhode Island Region.
Maureen Hollis, Regional Puppy Instructor
rhodeislandregion@guidingeyes.org
(845) 490-0143
Classes are held on Thursday evenings at the West Mountain Animal Hospital, 1726 Harwood Hill Road, Bennington, VT 05201. Time to do something extraordinary – raise a puppy that will become someone’s Guiding Eyes!
Meet the puppy raisers of the Southwestern VT region.
Tara Schatz, Region Coordinator
southwesternvtregion@guidingeyes.net
Kate Gardner, Regional Puppy Instructor
kgardner@guidingeyes.org
(Previously Dominion)
Our headquarters are in the homes and lives of hundreds of volunteers from across the metro area including DC, Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax County and Loudoun County. We hold our regular classes in Chantilly, VA and hold our outing classes at locations across our region on Sundays.
Meet volunteers of the NoVA- North region on Facebook and Instagram or contact us to request more information.
Katie Meuer, Region Coordinator
novanorthregion@guidingeyes.net
(Previously Prince William)
Puppy Raising classes are held on Thursday evenings at various locations in the county of Prince William. Pre-Placement classes are required before getting a puppy and take approximately six hours. Please contact us for more information and to sign up for these fun and informative sessions about raising a puppy with a purpose! Curious visitors are always welcome to our classes! Please make sure we know of your intention to visit so that we may be able to greet you and answer your questions properly.
Meet volunteers from the NoVa- South Region on Facebook.
NoVA- South Team
novasouthregion@guidingeyes.net
Puppy Raising Classes are held on Tuesday evenings at various locations in the Richmond area. Pre-Placement classes are required before getting a puppy and take approximately six hours. Please contact us for more information and to sign up for these fun and informative sessions about raising a puppy with a purpose! Curious visitors are always welcome to our classes! Please make sure we know of your intention to visit so that we may be able to greet you and answer your questions properly.
Meet volunteers from the Richmond Region on Facebook.
Nora Pierre, Region Coordinator
(804) 301-2550
richmondregion@guidingeyes.net
The Colorado region is comprised of a small group of experienced puppy raisers in the Denver area. We are not accepting new applications at this time.
If you’d like to help out in other ways, reach out to us at coloradoregion@guidingeyes.net
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.
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