We partner our students with visual impairments with professionally trained guide dogs. Our certified instructors provide students and their new guide dogs with 26 days of individualized instruction at our Palmetto, Florida campus or in-home placements - and lifetime follow up and support.
Students accepted into the program spend approximately four weeks bonding and training with their new guide dog under the watchful eye of our certified instructors at a student to trainer ratio of 3 to 1. A bond of love, trust and devotion forms between the blind master and the dog as they become a team.
We provide the guide dog, equipment, single-room lodging, all meals, outings, instruction and post-graduation support completely free of charge, thanks to the generosity of our important contributors.
The average working life of a guide dog is eight years, and the majority of our graduates obtain multiple guide dogs from Southeastern Guide Dogs.
Eligibility
To qualify, you must be a legally blind individual desiring independent travel through the use of a guide dog, in good health, at least 18 years of age, emotionally stable, and physically able to walk several miles each day. Each applicant must have completed training for Orientation and Mobility travel skills prior to enrollment.
New Students
In order to provide outstanding customer service to our graduates, applicants from the following 12 states will be considered for the Paws for Independence Program: FL, GA, NC, SC, AL, TX, TN, LA, MS, AK, OK, KY.
Returning Students
Active graduates of Southeastern Guide Dogs who reside in one of the 48 contiguous US states are also eligible for our services.
Training Time in Class
Twenty-six (26) days is the required training time for a first time student. Eighteen days is required for retraining if the student has been successful with a guide dog for a minimum of five years. Classes always begin on Monday. Students reside on the Southeastern Guide Dogs campus in a comfortable 10-room, single occupancy dormitory with private bathrooms. Our recently renovated rooms allow our students to enjoy new, full-size beds and new dog beds; accessible closet organizing systems; computer desks; remodeled bathrooms; and wireless internet and cable television along with the new flat screen TV's. During your stay, we will provide lodging, meals, outings, instruction with a 3 to 1 student to trainer ratio, and 24-hour assistance from a house parent.
Costs
The guide dog and the training are offered completely free of charge. After graduation, the maintenance of the guide dog becomes the responsibility of the graduate. Approximate annual cost: $900 to $1200.
Class Schedule
You can view our class schedule by clicking here.
Apply
To learn more about our admissions process and begin the appliation process, click here.
