Preparing for Class
Exercise at home before entering our class. All students should be in the best possible physical condition before entering the training program. We encourage every student to exercise by walking distances of up to 3 miles daily. Once in class, the student will walk training routes up to one and one-half miles in length, twice a day. These routes cover various types of terrain, with and without sidewalks, downtown and residential areas and, of course, classes continue no matter what the weather.
Dietary Needs
Specific diet requirements should be sent to the Admissions Office at least two weeks prior to arrival. A form is included in the acceptance packet. Snacks, coffee, juices, and fruit are available in the kitchen area at all times, at no cost.
Transportation to the facility
The applicant, once accepted for class, is responsible for the travel cost to the school and for the return trip home upon completion of training. Financial assistance is available to those who qualify. Class begins on Monday. Arrival times should be scheduled between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. The last day of class is always scheduled for a Friday. Departures should be scheduled by noon. Airport preference is Sarasota/Bradenton (SRQ). However, ground transportation will also be provided to/from Tampa (TPA) or Clearwater/St Petersburg (PIE) airports. If coming by Amtrak or Greyhound bus, your destination will be Bradenton, Florida. Travel arrangements must be forwarded to the admissions department 2 weeks prior to your class start date.
Directions
For driving directions, click here.
What to pack
Luggage
Identification tags with your name and address should be affixed outside and inside your luggage. If flying, identify all luggage at the airport and make sure it is in the school vehicle before traveling to the school. No foot lockers or trunks.
Clothing
The atmosphere is casual. Bring clothing suitable for the 26-day training period. Foul weather gear is necessary because training is conducted regardless of weather conditions (raincoats, winter jackets, etc.). No umbrellas! Women should use shoulder bags or "fanny" packs rather than hand bags. Sensible, comfortable, broken-in walking shoes and thick socks are recommended. Students may wish to bring dress clothing for individual or class pictures and church.
Medications
Students should bring a supply of medication to last for one full month. Diabetic students should also make sure they bring an adequate number of syringes. Urine testing is available for students, however, students are responsible for bringing the necessary supplies for testing. If needed, the services of a physician are available at a cost to the student and on an appointment basis. Students with certain diagnosed medical conditions (e.g., heart problems, diabetes, etc.) may be required to meet with a consulting physician at the beginning of the training program at their expense. Each student should have a copy of their insurance card along with the name and phone number of your physician. Appointments, if required, will be arranged through your trainer.
Expense Money
Students should bring enough money to cover personal items such as toiletry articles, cigarettes, beverages, etc. Students should bring a minimum 7-day supply of such items. Shopping is not scheduled the first 7 days of class. Since training occasionally involves the use of department stores and/or malls, students are able to use those opportunities to shop. The gift shop is available for other purchases at the school. Extra dog equipment, class and/or individual photos are available for purchase. Vending machines with soda are available. Please note: that Southeastern Guide Dogs does not have a cigarette machine. All meals are provided for students with the exception of one lunch. Students should figure an expense of $50 for spending money. NO ALCOHOL OR ILLEGAL DRUGS PERMITTED AT ANY TIME!
Valuables
Do not bring valuables to the school. Extra money may be locked in the office.
Check Cashing
Southeastern Guide Dogs, Inc. is unable to cash any checks or large bills for students. Bring a roll of quarters for the vending machines. Out-of-state students should be aware it is very difficult to cash out-of-state checks. Travelers checks and/or ATM/debit cards are recommended. Banks can also provide cash advances on a credit card.
Other Items Training consists of group instruction and personal, one to one instruction. Students are encouraged to bring any easily transportable hobby equipment, personal reading materials, guitars, radios, tape recorders, etc. to fill the wait time. Computers with internet and e-mail access, typewriters and Perkins Brailers are available for shared student use. Students should bring a cassette recorder to tape lectures for future reference. Students should also bring a sufficient supply of cassettes.
While Staying at the School
Rooms
All rooms are single occupancy and were recently renovated. Each room has one double bed, a desk and chair, a private bathroom, a walk-in closet, WiFi capability and a flat screen TV with cable. Bed linens, blankets, towels and face clothes are provided and laundered by the school. Students are required to bring personal items such as toothbrushes, toiletry items, shaving equipment, shampoo, and soap.
Telephone
Phones are available in each of the student's rooms. No long distance phone calls can be charged to individual room phone. Cell phones, calling cards, or collect calls are permitted. Modem hook-ups are also available in each room for personal laptops.
Laundry
Bedding and towels are washed by the school. For personal laundry, washers and dryers are free of charge. Although most students prefer to do their own personal laundry, our house parent can do your laundry once a week if you need it to be done. The school provides laundry detergent.
Religious Services
Upon request, arrangements can be made for students to attend religious services of their choice.
Tour groups and visitors
Southeastern Guide Dogs offers tours and informational presentations about the school and the programs to individuals and groups. Every effort is made to maintain the dignity and privacy of the training process. Interaction with potential donors is encouraged. However, individual students may opt out of contact and the request will be honored.
Visiting Hours/Weekend Visits
Visiting hours have been arranged for the benefit of the training program. Visiting hours are for weekends only and follow the schedule listed below. Southeastern does not serve meals to visitors. There are outdoor tables that may be used for picnics.
1st Weekend:
Visitors are welcome between the hours of 1-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Students are requested not to leave the premises with their visitors.
2nd Weekend:
Visitors are welcome between the hours of 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. Students can leave the premises with their visitors during the hours of 2:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Dogs may be taken only at the discretion of the Class Instructors.
3rd Weekend:
Visitors are welcome between the hours of 1p.m. to 4 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. Students may leave the premises with their visitors between the hours of 1p.m. to 9 p.m. and may be allowed to take their dogs with them. It is important that students notify the instructor on duty when leaving the school grounds.
Daily Routine
The training day for students begins at 6 a.m. and continues until 8 p.m. This includes basic obedience, scheduled night trips and evening lectures. Each weekday, the student will have two training sessions with the assigned class instructor. On weekends and holidays each student will complete one training session. The class will work in the communities of Bradenton, Palmetto, Sarasota and Tampa. Evening Lectures:
Lectures are presented by the class instructors, the class supervisor and the Director of Training Operations most weekdays, evenings, and on some weekends. These lectures are used to share information and prepare students for the next day's work. We encourage students to bring their own tape recorders (and tapes) or writing materials to have a record of the information provided.
Puppy Raisers' Day
The third Saturday of class has been designated as Puppy Raiser Day. On this day the volunteer puppy raiser family who raised the guide dog as a puppy is given the opportunity to meet the student. Additionally, some special contributors and other interested supporters of the school may be invited to attend on this day. The puppy raiser families and invited guests will meet at the main campus in Palmetto. The day begins at 9:00 a.m. and ends by 1:00 p.m. Accompanied by a trainer, each student works a short route at the Palmetto campus to showcase the work of the new partnership. Introductions are made after the showcase. At this time information is shared about the guide dog as a puppy. Pictures are taken and lunch is provided for everyone. After this contact, continued bonding between the student and the guide dog is of utmost importance. Therefore, we suggest no contact between the puppy raiser and the student/graduate for three months (90 days).
Graduation Ceremony
The school celebrates each graduating class with a Graduation Luncheon on the final Thursday of the class from 11:30 a.m to 1 p.m.
Pictures
Class pictures as well as individual pictures will be taken. Pictures can be purchased through the school. Pictures are 5x7 and cost $4 per picture.
Agreement
Near the end of the training period students are asked to sign an agreement which transfers the ownership of the guide dog to you. Review the legal document
Returning Home
Going Home Packet:
1. Information for family members, friends, employer, and co-workers when they first meet the new guide dog.2. A list of the commands learned in class.
3. A list of grooming and flea care products and heart worm products.
4. Dog supply companies.
5. Information to purchase a harness sign.
6. Veterinarian form to show established contact. Required by the end of two weeks after the end of training.7. Evaluation forms that are to be completed at the end of 2 weeks and 2 months with return envelopes.
8. Names and addresses of classmates, change of address cards, and a bumper sticker.Vacation Planning
All students should return to their homes immediately following training for a period of time, to allow the dog to become accustomed to its new environment. Vacations or traveling should not be scheduled for at least four (4) weeks after leaving the training program.
Early Termination
A student's program at Southeastern Guide Dogs may be terminated at any time at the discretion of the class supervisor or Director. A student whose program is terminated prematurely will return to their home without their dog. Grounds for termination include, but are not limited to, class disruption, lack of safety, inability of the student to work safely with the dog, negligence of personal health, unwillingness of the student to follow class instruction, student physically unable to complete the training or other health reasons. Also, please know that a student will be dismissed from the program for any type of substance abuse, whether it be drugs or alcohol.