How to get a guide dog...not blind

[dairyou]

Hi!

I've thought about training a dog for the Guide Dog Program, but don't think I could bear to give it back.

I thought the dogs that are not suited for the actual training might be a good way to get one. Anyone know how or who I should contact for this?

Thanks!

Deb

 

[olena]

I didn't know guide dogs were trained by individuals. I thought they were fostered at schools that screened and trained and gave them final approval for entry into service. I could be wrong though... They tried pushing one on me a long time ago. I don't need one right now and my allergies would be another issue. I know they train poodles now, so if I am ever at a point where I need one, I'd probably get a poodle.

Here's a link to the Guide Dog Schools Resource List for the National Federation of the Blind:

http://www.nfb.org/nfb/guide_dog_schools.asp

Good luck!

 

[PlutoPony]

My understanding is that they're not easy to get. I believe the people who raised the dog have first chance at them if they don't "make the cut" and after that they work from a waiting list. You can probably contact the guide dog organizations for info on who to talk with. Also, some vets have contact with these groups and work with their dogs, so that's another avenue to try....

 

[Cindy B]

Try seeingeye.org


They do have dogs that don't make the cut for the visually impaired individuals. All over NJ, volunteers train dogs for all types of environments. The volunteer training is more getting the dogs acclimated to various settings, noises, people, etc. We have a group of dogs being trained for this purpose on our campus. The dogs are in the bursar's office, in the classrooms, and in the registration buildings. They work with sighted individuals here on campus.

Then the dogs go to seeing eye headquarters (in my state) for work with visially impaired individuals. Then the dogs go to clients.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Our friends here in NY worked with the organization in Smithtown, NY I believe. Yes it was very hard for them to give the dog back. It got easier with each subsequent dog they had. The one girl was crying in my one ds class but they did get used to it. One of their dogs had hip problems and they were offered the lst chance to keep the dog since they were told it would not be suitable for more training etc. and they kept the dog as their family pet.

 

[mickeyboat]

Our neighbors now have two black labs because they accepted the first offer when the dogs missed the cut. These people are the most dedicated fur parents I have ever seen.

Denae

 

[OlderMan]

I had friends who adopted guide dogs AFTER they 'retired.'

Maybe you could look into this?

 

[OlderMan]

After the DOGS retired, not my friends!!