Guiding Eyes for the Blind is an organization that provides guide dogs to people with vision loss. They are “passionate about connecting exceptional dogs with individuals for greater independence” and have been doing this successfully for over 70 years. The cost of training and supporting a guiding eyes dog can be $50,000 throughout the working life of the dog.
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, they provide all services completely free of charge to people who are blind or with vision loss. They rely upon the contributions of generous donors to fulfill their mission.
How can you help?
Guiding Eyes is always looking for “puppy raisers.” A puppy raiser is someone who takes in a puppy, usually between 8-16 weeks of age, and raises the puppy until approximately 18mo of age. The puppy raiser’s job is to socialize and expose the puppy to the world in which it will need to work, as well as to begin basic training. There are specific guidelines for training and a training class and continued assistance is available. All veterinary care is paid for by the organization. At the age of 18mo, the pups are returned to the home base and specific training to become a working dog begins!
If you are interested in learning more, see
https://www.guidingeyes.org/puppy-raising/
Another option is to simply donate and there are many choices:
https://www.guidingeyes.org/ways-to-give/
We will be following David, an 8 week Labrador Puppy, as he begins his journey in training to become a Guiding Eye Dog. Below is David, settling into his puppy raiser’s home with his new friend, Skipper.
