In almost all cases, the handler has first rights to the dog after retirement. That means they can either keep it as a pet or place it with a friend or family member. If the handler cannot or does not wish to keep the dog, the school will often reach out to the puppy raisers that trained the dog to see if they would like it back. After that, the school will place it in a new home.

It really depends on the school. The Seeing Eye gives the handler full ownership of the dog, which means it’s their responsibility to care for the dog on retirement. Some people get the successor dog while they’re still caring for the retired dog and some wait for the retired dog to pass away or give them to a home where they can visit them. Rarely, The Seeing Eye will take a dog back and place them with someone to live out their days. I’m not sure how other schools handle it.

I don't have personal experience with this, but have friends who have. Some people do it, but I've heard it's not great to have the retiring dog in the house with a new guide dog. It's just confusing to the older dog, who probably still wants to work, but can't. It could potentially lead to dog aggression in some cases, etc.

I think most people end up re-homing their dog with friends and family so that the dog gets to stay with people it knows and so they can visit the dog.

At guide dogs for the blind the handler can keep the dog or place it with anyone they want. If they don't want to keep or place the dog the family who raised it as a puppy can adopt it. If that doesn't work out there is a huge waiting list of families who want to adopt retired guide dogs.

If the dog stays with the handler or their immediate family guide dogs for the blind will help out with vet bills for the life of the dog.