Our Mission
Southeastern Guide Dogs creates and nurtures 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 well-being of over 1,200 puppies and dogs.
Take a look at this video and discover what we do, how we do it, and, most importantly, why it matters. Inspired by what you see? Consider joining our pack and making a real difference.
1982
four decades of giving
Because of people like you, we offer our dogs at no cost to people who need them. Thank you, friend.
1,200+
Puppies and Dogs
Your support ensures the well-being of dogs living on our campus, in puppy raiser homes, and with alumni throughout the country.
630+
active teams
Thanks to you, we ensure our working dogs can receive dog food, preventatives, and veterinary care—free of charge.
$0
The amount we charge
We provide our dogs and services at no cost, 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
Your donation sustains our mission and gives freedom and hope to people who need it most. Thank you.
Meet some of our graduates.
Thanks to you, we provide our dogs and services free of charge to those in need. Every time we match one of our dogs with a student, your gift comes to life in the form of renewed hope. Check out this video to hear from some of our graduates, in their own words.
Changing the world, one dog and one life at a time.
Some people are blind from birth, and some lose vision in an instant. One day they’re driving to work or looking into the eyes of a child, and the next day, their world goes dark.
Some people go blind in combat, fighting for our freedom. Veterans return home with post-traumatic stress disorder, nightmares, and flashbacks so severe that it feels safer to never leave the house.
When people lose their vision—it’s easy to lose hope. When veterans lose hope—it’s easy to give up everything.
But there is hope.
Hope can be found in the magic between humans and dogs.
This magic happens because of people like you. Thank you for giving hope and freedom to so many people.
Our World-Class Campus
Come visit the world-renowned Southeastern Guide Dogs campus in Palmetto, Florida. Enjoy a guided walking tour, attend our acclaimed Beyond the Dark experience, and see the magic that happens as we create and nurture extraordinary partnerships between people and dogs. Reserve your spot.
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.
Mission Advancement Council
Meet the members of our dedicated Mission Advancement Council who work tirelessly to create and implement our “friendraising” strategy—forming and cultivating relationships with individuals who share our values and vision to secure the long-term success of our organization.
“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.
