Guide Dog Schools?

Category: Let's talk

Post 1 by TheFlyingSlimJim (Veteran Zoner) on Tuesday, 23-Sep-2008 22:55:13

Hi All,

I wasn't sure where to put this topic so I'm just going to put it in here. I am considering a guide dog and what I was wondering the best school to attend I've applied to Seeing Eye and am considering applying to Guiding Eyes in NY.

Are there anyone here that has been to either school that could tell me a little about their experiences?

Post 2 by Daenerys Targaryen (Enjoying Life) on Wednesday, 24-Sep-2008 12:52:15

I have been to Guiding Eyes. You can go to their website www.guidingeyes.org, join and read my lj community www.livejournal.com/users/guiding_eyes, or private message me with any questions. You get your own room, everyone is very nice and helpful and will work with you as much as you need to make sure you and your dog are a great team. I was a March 2007 graduate. I have a black Lab named Able and he's an awesome dog.

Post 3 by BigDogDaddy (Help me, I'm stuck to my chair!) on Wednesday, 24-Sep-2008 12:54:48

Good afternoon,
I'm sure you'll get tons of opinions on which school is better ETC, but they all have their own advantages and disadvantages. I've personally been working a dog since I was 16, and have gotten all 3 of my dogs from the Seeing eye in NJ. For various reasons it was the school I chose to attend, and more than that, once our relationship was established there was no question where I'd go after the retirement of my first guide.


IMHO the school has a great approach to guide dog training and the matching process, as well as great dogs. My first dog worked for 8 years, while my second only worked out for a few months, but even in that, the school was extremely concerned for my needs as a dog guide handler and took steps to insure I had a great guide. My third dog has been with me for over 2 years now and is absolutely wonderful!.

Post 4 by TheFlyingSlimJim (Veteran Zoner) on Wednesday, 24-Sep-2008 18:30:28

Thanks well I heard back from Seeing Eye and they said I have to much vision for their program since I don't have restricted field vision. I'm completely blind in my left eye and my right eye is 20/400. So I might be applying to Guiding Eyes.

Post 5 by Hope_Lies_Here (Newborn Zoner) on Monday, 13-Oct-2008 0:42:15

Hey, I'm not sure if this will help you or not, but if you go to:
http://www.gdui.org
and look for the link that says "school survey", you may find more information about the school you're interested in. This survey is for all the guide dog schools in the U.S., and gives information about their standards for acceptance, breeding programs, options for training, etc.

Hope you find it useful.