Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Are there companies that offer scholarships to receive a seeing eye dog? (self.Blind)
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CloudyBeep 29 points 2y ago
Guide dogs cost about $35,000 to raise and train, but this cost is never borne by the dog's recipient. Most guide dog schools do not charge for geting a dog, and the ones that do only require a very small fee. If your friend is being asked to pay any more than a couple hundred dollars, the school is probably not accredited by the International Guide Dog Federation, and your friend should get the dog from somewhere that is accredited.
BenandGracie 15 points 2y ago
Typically, you don't pay for a dog. At the most, you might have to pay something like $150. If he has to pay any more than that, he needs to find a different school.
rigby_321 10 points 2y ago
Guide Dogs for the Blind covers almost all costs associated with having a guide dog, including veterinary care. Dog food is typically the largest expense paid by our clients over the lifetime of the dog.
Things are really hard right now with Covid but feel free to ask me any questions you might have and I can try to answer or point you to someone who can.
Things are really hard right now with Covid but feel free to ask me any questions you might have and I can try to answer or point you to someone who can.
of-the-Shire 5 points 2y ago
Thank you so much!
Broken_Peepers 1 points 2y ago
I second this. I have a GDB dog currently.
GTbuddha 1 points 2y ago
I have had two guide dogs from Guide Dogs for the Blind. All free. Feel free to ask me anything. I went to the Oregon campus both times. They also have a campus in Santa Rosa, California.
stupidpoopoohead 7 points 2y ago
Guide dogs should be free to cheap. Look into accredited programs, South Eastern Guide Dog is in Florida but they provide dogs to people all over the US. An accredited program is going to expect your friend to have decent orientation and mobility skills, and the means to care for the dog. They also usually want you to come to the center for training in the use of your dog.
It really sucks that there are so many scammy places that try to charge people for dogs or charge to train your dog.
It really sucks that there are so many scammy places that try to charge people for dogs or charge to train your dog.
tasareinspace 2 points 2y ago
I agree with all the other comments about guide dogs usually not being paid for by the user, but I also want to add that sometimes taking time out of your life/employment is something people consider a "cost", and I'm not sure if anyone helps with that cost.
LexieDream 2 points 2y ago
There are other schools that cover all costs. I got my first dogs from Guide DOgs for the Blind out of California, but later switched to GUiding Eyes in New York. Both covered costs.
I’d urge your friend to apply to Guiding Eyes, as my dogs from the CA school didn’t turn out so well, and I honestly didn’t enjoy my experiences training there.
Check out: www.guidingeyes.org
I’d urge your friend to apply to Guiding Eyes, as my dogs from the CA school didn’t turn out so well, and I honestly didn’t enjoy my experiences training there.
Check out: www.guidingeyes.org
AchooCashew 1 points 2y ago
Could I ask why you switched schools and if you prefer one over the other for whatever reason? My dog is from GDB and I’ve been so happy with the program/support/community- but I’m very curious to hear other experience elsewhere.
LexieDream 2 points 2y ago
My dogs from GDB weren’t trained very well. My first (from 2008) retired (at the school’s suggestion) after two-years, due to very poor guiding performance. He didn’t do curb checks, ran me into people, and also down some stairs without stopping!
He also had a persistent fear of traffic noise.
The second was a better experience (in 2012), but since the school was discouraging basic obedience practices, he wasn’t well behaved either.
I don’t know if the school has changed their policy on obedience since then, but I was thoroughly surprised at being told not to practice obedience, and was even reprimanded after performing some basic sit/stay commands after a poorly performed route.
That dog retired after nearly four-years. He wasn’t good at right-side clearances, and ran me into things often on that side. Field support reps tried helping, but it didn’t work out.
Eventually, I’d had enough and chose to retire and switch schools.
Guiding Eyes has been a vastly superior experience. All dogs in my class have done really well, and the grad support is great as well.
Based on my experience, and knowledge of a close friend who also graduated from there, the training is well done. And they have the running program which was the first in the U.S, and has been quite popular.
Above all, Guiding Eyes offers German shepherds as an option! I love my shepherd, and feel it’s been an amazing guiding experience!
What bothered me the most about GDB was their two-week programs. That’s just not enough time to train new guide dog users, or to know if a dog is going to work out.
I know of too many grads who’ve returned or retired their dogs early.
I’m sure others like GDB and maybe had better experiences. But I think they are mainly popular because of the vet care assistance, and they are the largest school in the You.S. Being the biggest doesn’t mean the best.
He also had a persistent fear of traffic noise.
The second was a better experience (in 2012), but since the school was discouraging basic obedience practices, he wasn’t well behaved either.
I don’t know if the school has changed their policy on obedience since then, but I was thoroughly surprised at being told not to practice obedience, and was even reprimanded after performing some basic sit/stay commands after a poorly performed route.
That dog retired after nearly four-years. He wasn’t good at right-side clearances, and ran me into things often on that side. Field support reps tried helping, but it didn’t work out.
Eventually, I’d had enough and chose to retire and switch schools.
Guiding Eyes has been a vastly superior experience. All dogs in my class have done really well, and the grad support is great as well.
Based on my experience, and knowledge of a close friend who also graduated from there, the training is well done. And they have the running program which was the first in the U.S, and has been quite popular.
Above all, Guiding Eyes offers German shepherds as an option! I love my shepherd, and feel it’s been an amazing guiding experience!
What bothered me the most about GDB was their two-week programs. That’s just not enough time to train new guide dog users, or to know if a dog is going to work out.
I know of too many grads who’ve returned or retired their dogs early.
I’m sure others like GDB and maybe had better experiences. But I think they are mainly popular because of the vet care assistance, and they are the largest school in the You.S. Being the biggest doesn’t mean the best.
BlueZone123 1 points 2y ago
What happened to the dogs that you chose to retire? I have a friend who doesn't seem to be adjusting with a dog, and it may need to be retrained or retired...
LexieDream 1 points 2y ago
They both became pets with some families that I knew — who were looking for well behaved dogs.
The school might place the dog in re-training, but that depends on the severity of the issues it’s experiencing. I hope your friend can get some help, because I know how frustrating having a not-so-great guide dog can be.
The school might place the dog in re-training, but that depends on the severity of the issues it’s experiencing. I hope your friend can get some help, because I know how frustrating having a not-so-great guide dog can be.
AchooCashew 1 points 2y ago
Oh wow, that sounds rough! I haven't had that experience at all. (2017) The trainers always had us practicing sit-stays and the like, and I've gotten positive responses about other obedience I've taught my dog since coming home. I don't fault you for switching. If those experiences kept repeating, any reasonable person would go elsewhere.
I've heard the shepherd remark from others as well! The running program really piqued my interest as I love running, but can't go without a sighted guide.
I feel lucky to have had an overwhelmingly positive experience with my first and current guide. Thanks so much for answering my question. It's valuable to get all kinds of perspectives.
(edit: I went to the Portland campus, but I can’t imagine that would make a big difference)
I've heard the shepherd remark from others as well! The running program really piqued my interest as I love running, but can't go without a sighted guide.
I feel lucky to have had an overwhelmingly positive experience with my first and current guide. Thanks so much for answering my question. It's valuable to get all kinds of perspectives.
(edit: I went to the Portland campus, but I can’t imagine that would make a big difference)
guitarandbooks 1 points 2y ago
When I was matched and trained with my now retired lab at The seeing eye in New Jersey, everything was paid for except for a ?$150 contribution that I was required to pay. Seeing as they covered everything, I think that is a very small request. (I retired him when he was 11 because he developed cataracts and hip trouble.) His performance as a guide was fantastic.)
Your friend is going to need solid orientation and mobility skills before he applies. I have only attended The Seeing Eye so far but I assume any accredited guide dog school would require this.
Your friend is going to need solid orientation and mobility skills before he applies. I have only attended The Seeing Eye so far but I assume any accredited guide dog school would require this.
of-the-Shire 1 points 2y ago
Thank you to all of you; I truly appreciate all of the information. My friend isn’t quite ready for a dog, but he would like to have one in the future when he lives independently and is employed.
ginsenshi 1 points 2y ago
THere's also Pilot DOgs in ohio, which is slightly easier on the application process.
Where my husband got his first dog from, and where I have a Application in at for my 3rd dog.
They also have a alumni benefits program and cover transportation to and from to the school
Where my husband got his first dog from, and where I have a Application in at for my 3rd dog.
They also have a alumni benefits program and cover transportation to and from to the school
ginsenshi 1 points 2y ago
People have talked about Southeastern Guide which is where my two dogs have been from. Southeastern also has a new alumni benefits program that pays for dog food, yearly vet check and flea /heartworm meds.
Now they just need to cover transportation to and from to the school, and not just for Financial hardship/request.
Now they just need to cover transportation to and from to the school, and not just for Financial hardship/request.
blueboy840 1 points 2y ago
you're a great friend
smpgta 1 points 2y ago
California has a state program called the Department of Rehabilitation that provides various resources and services to help low vision patients. They may even cover costs for low vision aids, devices and exams. I’d look to see if Nebraska has something similar. They may have more specific info about getting a guide dog as well.
CloudyBeep 2 points 2y ago
All states provide this, but guide dogs are funded through donations.
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