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We always provide our dogs free of charge to people who can benefit from their partnership. This includes training, transportation to and from the school, room and board during the training program, and a lifetime of follow-up services.

Under current conditions, it takes up to three years and can cost up to $50,000 annually to breed, raise, and train a dog for a person who is blind. The vast majority of Guiding Eyes for the Blind’s funding comes from the voluntary contributions of friends and supporters, who value the work we do to support blind men and women across the country and around the world. We work hard to put every charitable donation we receive to work directly for the students we serve.

Contrary to common belief, guide dogs do not know how to read and understand traffic signals. A person who is blind or visually impaired determines when it is safe to cross the street by listening to the sounds of parallel traffic. When the handler decides that it is safe to cross, he or she will give the dog the command, “forward,” in order to move out into the street.

The dogs are taught “intelligent disobedience,” and if there is an obstruction in the street or an oncoming vehicle that poses a danger, the dog will choose not to listen to the “forward” command. The dog is able to keep the handler safe even if the handler makes an error or if a driver runs a red light.

Why don’t guide dog schools use rescue dogs?
It takes a very specific dog to be successful as a guide. A guide must be confident in all environments and situations, have the ability to problem-solve and make decisions on his own, have a low distraction level, have impeccable house and social manners, and be able to remain settled for several hours at a time when needed.

A long history of genetic research has shown us that we have a greater chance at producing guide dogs if we breed specifically for temperament and health scores.

We remain devoted to all of our dogs throughout their lifetimes; no Guiding Eyes dog will ever add to the shelter population.

It takes a very specific dog to be successful as a guide. A guide must be confident in all environments and situations, have the ability to problem-solve and make decisions on his own, have a low distraction level, have impeccable house and social manners, and be able to remain settled for several hours at a time when needed.

A long history of genetic research has shown us that we have a greater chance at producing guide dogs if we breed specifically for temperament and health scores.

We remain devoted to all of our dogs throughout their lifetimes; no Guiding Eyes dog will ever add to the shelter population.

Please don’t.

A guide dog is responsible for keeping its handler safe while out in the world, and it is very important not to break the dog’s focus. For a handler who is blind or visually impaired, distracting his or her guide dog is the equivalent of the passenger of a car grabbing the wheel out of a driver’s hand. Never pet a working guide dog.