About Guide dogs for the blind
Guide Dogs for the Blind: Empowering Lives through Partnership
Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB) is a non-profit organization that has been providing guide dogs to visually impaired individuals since 1942. The organization's mission is to empower lives through partnership by connecting people and guide dogs, at no cost to students. GDB's services are available throughout the United States and Canada, with campuses located in San Rafael, California, and Boring, Oregon.
GDB's History
The idea of using guide dogs as mobility aids for visually impaired individuals dates back to World War I when German Shepherds were trained to assist soldiers blinded in battle. However, it wasn't until 1929 that Dorothy Harrison Eustis founded The Seeing Eye in Switzerland - the first guide dog school in the world.
In 1942, GDB was established by Lois Merrihew and Don Donaldson after they witnessed firsthand how a guide dog transformed their friend's life. Since then, GDB has provided over 14,000 guide dogs to visually impaired individuals across North America.
GDB's Services
GDB provides its services free of charge thanks to generous donations from individuals and organizations. The organization offers several programs designed to meet the needs of different types of clients:
1. Guide Dog Program: This program matches visually impaired individuals with trained guide dogs who help them navigate their surroundings safely.
2. Accelerated Mobility Program: This program is designed for clients who have some residual vision but still require assistance navigating unfamiliar environments.
3. Buddy Dog Program: This program provides trained companion animals for children who are blind or have low vision.
4. Graduate Support Program: Once a client receives a guide dog from GDB, they become part of an ongoing support network that includes veterinary care and training updates as needed.
5. Outreach Programs: These programs provide education about blindness awareness and prevention as well as information about GBD's services.
How Guide Dogs Are Trained
Guide dogs go through extensive training before they are matched with a client:
1. Puppy Raising: Puppies are placed with volunteer puppy raisers when they are eight weeks old until they are around 14-18 months old.
2. Formal Training: After completing puppy raising, the young adult dog enters formal training where it learns basic obedience skills such as walking on a leash without pulling or reacting negatively towards other animals or people while wearing its harnesses or vests which indicate it’s working status..
3.Graduation & Matching Process : Once formal training is complete ,the dog graduates from its program . Then ,it will be matched with an appropriate client based on factors such as lifestyle ,personality traits etc .
Volunteering Opportunities at GBD
GBD relies heavily on volunteers who help raise puppies ,train them during formal training period etc . There are many ways you can get involved :
1.Puppy Raising : Volunteer puppy raisers take care of puppies until they’re ready for formal training .
2.Breeding Stock Custodian : Volunteers take care of breeding stock which includes feeding them properly ,grooming them regularly etc .
3.Training Assistant : Volunteers assist trainers during formal trainings by helping out wherever needed .
4.Office Assistant : Volunteers help out at offices by answering phones ,filing paperwork etc .
5.Event Volunteer : Volunteers help out at events like fundraisers by setting up booths ,selling merchandise etc .
Donating To Guide Dogs For The Blind
GBD relies heavily on donations from generous donors like you . Your donation helps provide free services including veterinary care & food supplies among others . You can donate online via credit card or PayPal account ; mail your check directly ; make monthly recurring gifts ; donate stocks/bonds/real estate properties; include GBF in your wills/estate plans; participate in workplace giving campaigns; sponsor fundraising events; shop online via Amazon Smile where Amazon donates part of purchase price towards charity organizations like GBF among others.
Conclusion
Guide Dogs For The Blind has been empowering lives through partnership since 1942 . With over fourteen thousand successful matches between clients & their canine partners so far,GDF continues making positive impact on communities across North America today ! Whether you're interested in volunteering,donating money/time/resources or simply learning more about this amazing organization - there’s something here everyone can do !