For The Blind Our Mission Guide Dogs for the Blind provides enhanced mobility to qualified individuals through partnership with dogs whose unique skills are developed and nurtured by dedicated volunteers and a professional staff. Select a menu item above. Adapted from “Guide Dog Puppy Raising Manual”, ©Guide Dogs for the Blind. Inc Puppy Raising Manual by Walter Hebern MIST Technology CSUMB

For The Blind It all began with a dream of creating the first guide dog training school on the West Coast shared by Lois Merrihew and Don Donaldson. They recognized the need to help wounded servicemen who would return from World War II without their sight. Family School The school was incorporated in 1942 and began training dogs and instructing students in a rented home in Los Gatos, California, south of San Jose. A German Shepherd named Blondie was one of the first dogs trained. She was later paired with Sgt. Leonard Foulk, the first serviceman to graduate from the new school. In 1947, the school was moved to its present 11-acre campus in San Rafael, California, 20 miles north of San Francisco. In 1995, our other campus opened in Boring, Oregon, 25 miles east of Portland on 27 acres. Guide Dogs for the Blind has graduated close to 10,000 teams over the past 60 years. Image used with permission ©Guide Dogs for the Blind, inc.

For The Blind Puppy raisers Over 1,200 raisers donate their time and effort in the care and socialization of our puppies. Guide Dog puppy raisers are living in eight Western states: California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Nevada, Idaho, Utah and Colorado. Puppy raising leaders All puppy raisers are members of a puppy raising club. These clubs are guided by a leader; some clubs have several leaders. The Puppy Raising and Dog Placement Department Raisers and leaders also work closely with members of the Puppy Raising and Dog Placement Department at Guide Dogs for the Blind. Each advisor's territory includes 100 or more puppy raisers and up to 50 leaders and may encompass several states. Advisors provide hands-on training, advice and support to leaders and raisers in their territories to improve their understanding of socialization and training standards required by Guide Dogs for the Blind. Family School

For The Blind  Labrador Retrievers  Golden Retrievers  German Shepherds Breeds The finest dogs are chosen for our breeding program. They have been carefully selected for the unique characteristics that are required to produce successful working guides. The breeding program at Guide Dogs for the Blind was established in the late 1940s. Currently, the breeding colony consists of purebred Labrador Retrievers (black and yellow), German Shepherds and Golden Retrievers. Our Labrador Retrievers have historically enjoyed the greatest success as working guides Kennels Breeds Care

For The Blind Kennels Breeds Care Life in the Kennels The Kennel Department is responsible for the care of all dogs that are not in training. The dogs and puppies are under the supervision of our professional staff 24 hours a day. This round-the-clock care allows for the monitoring of all births as they occur, care and feeding of newborn puppies, efficient administration of medications and veterinary care, and careful observation of dogs recovering from surgery. The puppy kennel is also the place where the puppies first experience the outside world. Six days per week, they are socialized and walked on campus by volunteer Puppy Socializers.

For The Blind Kennels Breeds Care Veterinary Care The Veterinary Clinics at Guide Dogs' two campuses would be the envy of most veterinarians in private practice with their hydraulic lift examining tables, scales and modern surgery rooms. Everything is kept immaculately clean. It is obvious to visitors that Guide Dogs places great stock in the care of its puppies and dogs. Full-time veterinarians and a staff of technicians are supported by outside specialists whenever needed, as well as volunteers. Veterinarians assist in whelpings by performing caesarian sections if needed. Image used with permission ©Guide Dogs for the Blind, inc.

For The Blind Internships Scholarships Careers Scholarships Guide Dogs for the Blind has funded scholarships for our youth puppy raisers for many years. We are pleased to offer this opportunity:  to provide an incentive for further education  to encourage the development of skills that will contribute to a more productive life  to provide recognition of commendable work and accomplishment in Guide Dog puppy raising

For The Blind Internships Another special opportunity for youth is our internship program. Each summer, youth contribute both to the Guide Dogs program and to their own personal, educational, and career development by interning at the California campus. An internship generally runs for two weeks. Interns are assigned to a specific department, which could be the Puppy Raising and Dog Placement, Veterinary Clinic, Public Information or any department at Guide Dogs. Guide Dogs attempts to assign interns from outside the area to live in the homes of staff members or other volunteers during their internships. Internships Scholarships Careers For more information on internships at our California campus, please contact the Volunteer Department at (800)

For The Blind Career opportunities Many of our raisers have gone on to become employees at Guide Dogs for the Blind. We encourage all of our puppy raising volunteers to consider a meaningful career in the Training Department or other departments at Guide Dogs. If you like dogs, enjoy working with people, and want a career that Internships Scholarships Careers makes a difference, the Training Department could be the place for you (or someone you know)! Work with a team of professional instructors who help provide enhanced mobility to qualified individuals through a partnership with trained dogs.