Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible for a guide dog?
Is a guide dog right for me?
Why should I apply through VetDogs?
How do I apply?
What happens next?
If I qualify, how long will it be before I get my dog?
What kinds of dogs are used?
When do I meet my guide dog?
How do you choose the dog for me?
What is the training program like?
What will the training cost?
What types of follow-up services are available once I return home?
What is the average working life of a guide dog?


Who is eligible for a guide dog?
To qualify for admission to the VetDogs program for guide dogs, you must be

• an honorably discharged veteran from the U.S. armed forces
  
• legally blind
  
• in good physical and mental health
  
• able to provide adequate housing and care for the dog
  
• in need of the dog for mobility purposes
  
• able to travel on your own (applicants need to have received O&M training)
  
• there is no maximum age limit
  

If you do not wish to apply as a veteran, please click here to return to the Guide Dog Foundation's general application page

What if I am not sure if a guide dog is right for me?
If you want to know more about our program and discuss any concerns you have, please call Joe Link, our VetDogs volunteer outreach coordinator, at 405-329-1866. As a fellow veteran and a graduate of the Foundation, he will be able to give you a first-hand perspective on our program. He is available to answer questions you have about guide dogs and if one is right for you.

Why should I apply through VetDogs?
Certain benefits of the VetDogs program are available only to veterans enrolled through the VA. By applying through your local VIST coordinator, you ensure that you receive all the benefits to which you are entitled. To ease the application process, the VetDogs program will accept all VA medical records and other supporting documentation in response to our medical requirements for applicants.

How do I apply?
Call the Admissions Office toll-free at 1-866-VETDOGS (1-866-838-3647) and ask for an application packet. They can e-mail the application or send it to you via postal mail.

What happens next?
We will schedule an interview with you with a representative from our Training Department. This interview might be in person or by telephone. Its purpose is to help determine your needs and capabilities.

If I qualify, how long will it be before I get my dog?
You will be invited to a class when we are sure that we have a choice of dogs that would be suitable for you. The matching process is critical to your success. Priority is given to those who are retiring dogs from our program.

What kinds of dogs are used?
The Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind breeds its own dogs through one of the world's finest breeding and puppy raising programs. We use purebred Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Standard Poodles, and first generation Labrador/Golden and Labrador/Poodle crosses.

When do I meet my guide dog?
In the first few days of class, the training staff will further evaluate your needs and capabilities before selecting your dog. Once the selection is made, you will begin training with your dog.

How do you choose the dog for me?
We consider such factors as your overall ability to handle a dog, location and the type of conditions that you will encounter on a regular basis. Each person and dog is unique and we take this into consideration in every phase of training.

What is the training program like?
Classes have about 10 students, who come to us from all over the United States and many foreign countries. There are always two instructors per class, so there are never more than five students per instructor.

If you attend class at our headquarters, you will begin training on our eight-acre campus, learning basic skills such as leash guiding. After a few days, you will begin traveling to nearby towns, gradually working in more challenging areas. You will train in a wide variety of locales including country roads, city streets, shopping malls, stores, and public transportation. The training lasts 25 days. In the evenings there are lectures on care of the dog, grooming, and other relevant topics such as access laws.

Training is 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.

In special circumstances, we can also conduct home training where you will work with your instructor and your new guide in your home environment. There are a number of factors that influence our decision for home training, including your doctor's recommendation home placement for medical reasons or if you are a caretaker for someone else. Home training is very intensive, and there are advantages and disadvantages to this situation.

If you train with your guide dog at our Smithtown campus, please be aware that you will be part of a class that may include both veterans and nonveterans.

What will the training cost?
There is no cost to you. There are no fees for your room and board during the training.

You are responsible for your dog's food and basic medical care after your training is completed.

What types of follow-up services are available once I return home?
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.

What is the average working life of a guide dog?
A dog's career depends on how active you are; generally, it is between seven and eight years.