Our Vision
Southeastern Guide Dogs began in 1982 with a single vision: to help those who cannot see. Today, we also serve veterans with disabilities and children with significant challenges.
Whether you’ve been friends with us for a very long time or are new to the Southeastern Guide Dogs family, you’ve got to see this video.
There’s no better way to understand what we do, who we serve, and why you should join us in changing the world, one dog and one life at a time.
Our Mission: Putting Your Support to Work
Southeastern Guide Dogs transforms lives by creating and nurturing extraordinary partnerships between people and dogs. We breed, raise, and train elite guide dogs, service dogs, and skilled companion dogs and provide life-changing services for people with vision loss, veterans with disabilities, and children with significant challenges. We offer our premier dogs and lifetime follow-up services at no cost. Since 1982, we have successfully created thousands of guide and service dog teams throughout the U.S. and currently oversee the wellbeing of over 1,200 puppies and dogs.
1982
four decades of giving
Because of people like you, we’ve provided our dogs at no cost to people who need them since our founding in 1982. Thank you, friends.
1,200+
Puppies and Dogs
Your support ensures the wellbeing of dogs in our Puppy Academy, puppy raisers’ homes, Canine University, and alumni homes.
600+
active teams
Our partners help provide our active guide dog and service dog teams with the most robust alumni support program in North America.
$0
The amount we charge
We provide our dogs and services without charging recipients, and we support our alumni for the life of the teams. Because of you.
50
U.S. states served
We provide guide dogs, service dogs, and skilled companion dogs throughout the U.S., including Alaska and Hawaii.
2
years of training
From birth to placement, our dogs receive two years of expert training before being matched with their new favorite humans.
20
training days on campus
People with vision loss live on campus, learning to navigate with their guide dogs. Veterans train on campus for 11 days.
100%
Your Support Matters
As a non-profit, we rely 100% on private contributions. Your support transforms lives in a tangible, meaningful way.
Extraordinary Dogs
What’s the real Southeastern Guide Dogs difference? It all comes down to the quality of our dogs. Whether a rock-solid guide dog or an always-got-your-back service dog, our pups are heroes you can count on.
Transforming Lives
CHANGING THE WORLD, ONE DOG AND ONE LIFE AT A TIME
People with vision loss are young and old, students and professionals, parents and grandparents, husbands and wives, sons and daughters. Some have been blind all their lives; others lose vision unexpectedly, suddenly, and the losses quickly magnify. Loss of vision creates loss of freedom. Their world can be a very dark place.
Veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are active duty or retired, men and women, young and old, from all walks of life. The unseen scars of military trauma can lead to isolation, depression, anxiety, waking flashbacks, terrifying nightmares, and hyper-vigilance even in the safest places.
These people deserve help—and they get it through our extraordinary guide dogs and service dogs that transform their world with stunning skills and boundless affection.
Our graduates walk out the door to a new sense of freedom, with heads high and confidence soaring. What was once impossible becomes possible. Independent travel becomes an everyday reality. Their dog becomes not only a helpmate but a best friend and a steady source of unconditional love.
For many of our students, the first day on campus can be daunting. But just a few days later, a transformation inevitably occurs. Uncertainty turns into confidence. “I can’t” becomes “I can.”
Our World-Class Campus
People come from all over the world to tour the Southeastern Guide Dogs campus in Palmetto, Florida. Visitors can enjoy our guided walking tour, an informational activity providing an in-depth overview of our state-of-the art facilities and a peek at what happens behind closed doors. Check out the grand opening of our new Margaret and Isaac Barpal Canine Fitness Center.
Top Leadership
Southeastern Guide Dogs appreciates the leadership and passion of a highly qualified and prestigious Board of Directors who dedicate themselves to governance, strategic planning, financial management, advocacy, and resource development. Our management team commits to excellence in every aspect of our mission.
Proud Partners
At Southeastern Guide Dogs, we recognize the power of partnerships, which quickly become friendships. Our corporate partners provide outstanding monetary and in-kind support that helps us to provide our dogs and services free of charge, throughout the United States. Our partners change lives.
Reports & Media Inquiries
Our stories are powerful. Are you writing an article or shooting a news story? Browse our resources library for information, photos, videos, and more. Got a specific idea in mind? We’d love to talk to you and provide additional detailed information and images of our people, puppies, and programs.
“Our commitment to excellence and unsurpassed quality is mirrored in the Southeastern Guide Dogs organization, and we are proud to partner with them in the Alumni Support program.”
— Bryan Nieman, fifth-generation family member of Fromm Family Pet Food. Fromm donates quality dog food to our nearly 600 guide and service dog alumni.
