Apply for a Guide Dog

Program Overview
In recent years, we have come to recognize that as our nation’s veterans age, and as our wounded soldiers return home from the global war on terrorism, there would be a greater need for guide dogs and other specialized service animals. The VetDogs program was created so that America’s veterans would have their own K-9 corps and the chance to live with dignity and self-reliance once more. In addition to guide dogs, VetDogs will train and supply service dogs for veterans who have disabilities other than visual impairment.

The hallmarks of the Guide Dog Foundation program are the small classes and individualized instruction that each student receives. A meticulous matching program ensures that each visually impaired person is paired with the guide dog that best suits that person’s mobility, personality, lifestyle, and physical needs.

Most of our consumers attend our 25-day in-residence training program at our Smithtown campus. However, for veterans enrolled through the VetDogs program, services are also available at a variety of locations across the U.S., including the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center. We will work with you to determine where your needs will be best served while trying to accommodate your preferences. Should you attend class at our Smithtown campus, you should be aware that your class may consist of veterans and nonveterans.

Upon graduation, handler and guide return home to start their new life together. At this point, they have begun to master all of the techniques they need to be successful—from finding the checkout counter, to maneuvering through a crowded train station, to passing through a revolving door. The team can travel confidently and independently on suburban routes or city streets, during the day or at night, alone or in rush hour.

Together, the working team is a partnership for independence.

Once you have gone through training with the Foundation’s VetDogs project, you are eligible for a lifetime of aftercare. Should you require follow-up training, our staff will arrange to work with you on any questions or concerns you might have in a prompt and professional manner, which may include a home site visit.

To make the students’ stay as comfortable as possible, the Student Resident Hall was renovated and expanded in 2002 and has single rooms with private baths and individual climate control; all rooms have private telephone lines and computer ports. The Student Union features a spacious dining room, snack area/lounge, smoker’s room, living room, recreation room, exercise room, computer lab (with adaptive technology for student use), and an outdoor patio.