About Guide Dogs for the Blind – LA SouthWest Puppy Raisers
Target population: Los Angeles South Bay cities westside.
Location: About 4 miles south of LAX International Airport.
Mission: The mission was to raise puppies to be trained as guides for people who are blind or visually impaired. Provide public education about issues related to people who are blind or visually impaired.
Puppy raisers were each responsible for the complete care, training, and socialization of their future guide for approximately 15 months, including costs for food and toys. GDB provides assistance with veterinary care fees.
Puppy raisers received their puppy at approximately eight weeks of age. After about 15 months, the puppy was returned to the San Rafael GDB campus for formal training by CA licensed guide dog instructors.
Unique amongst puppy raising groups, members have made two additional commitments:
- to provide public education about blindness and related issues to both adults and youth through presentations to organizations, schools, corporations, and churches
- to assist blind youth and adults and their families to gain an understanding of both the guide dog lifestyle and the benefits and power of the human/animal bond
Additional program components included:
- puppy sitting for pups when raiser travels
- a members only on-loan inventory of puppy-raising equipment
- assistance with kennel costs for females in season
- assistance with vet care costs
- guide dog graduation scholarships
- designated gifts to special GDB canine welfare programs
- educational materials for presentations and events
About Guide Dogs for the Blind
Guide Dogs for the Blind is a nonprofit organization incorporated in 1942. With its extensive teamwork of staff, volunteers and donors they are able to empower lives by creating exceptional partnerships between people, dogs and communities.
Guide Dogs for the Blind is more than an industry-leading guide dog school, it is a passionate community that serves the visually impaired. With exceptional client services and a robust network of trainers, puppy raisers, donors and volunteers, GDB prepares highly qualified guide dogs to serve and empower individuals who are blind or have low vision. All of the services are provided free of charge without government funding.
Guide Dogs for the Blind has two campuses: one in San Rafael, California; another in Boring, Oregon. For more information about GDB, go to guidedogs.com.