A guide dog brings freedom and hope.
It may be a little scary to apply for a guide dog if you‘ve never had one before, but the benefits far outweigh any concern—as our repeat alumni can attest. Whether you‘re completely new to guide dogs or have been a highly experienced partner of one for years, let us help you toward a new life of freedom and confidence.
Campus Life and Training
We have designed our 20-day training course to provide you and your new dog the highest opportunity to succeed together. We can’t wait for you to join the Southeastern Guide Dogs family, and we want you to feel at home with us.

Alumni Support Program
At Southeastern Guide Dogs, we care deeply about creating successful teams and supporting our dogs and graduates, which is why we are proud to offer our Alumni Support Program.

Your independence matters.
We match highly trained guide dogs with visually impaired individuals, providing the gift of an independent lifestyle. Adult students train on our Palmetto, Florida campus for 20 days, venturing from our secluded Freedom Walk training path to city streets, shopping malls, and public transportation. Most leave here with heads held high and a wider smile.
We also provide guide dogs to mature teens ages 15 – 18 through a home placement program, providing training in the student’s home, school, and community. For information about our youth guide dog program, click here. For teens and parents considering this decision, we suggest our Guide Dog Camp to learn more.

Everything—from on-campus instruction to dog food back home—completely free of charge.
Southeastern Guide Dogs provides our dogs and training to students at no cost. We also offer high-quality food, monthly preventatives, vaccinations, and the annual veterinary wellness visit—free of charge, thanks to our generous partners. We operate the most advanced training facilities of any service dog organization, and our expert instructors develop our highly trained guide dogs at our Palmetto, Florida campus.
With a 98% graduate satisfaction rating, you can trust us to provide you with an outstanding, unforgettable experience. We’ve thought of every detail to make your stay comfortable and your experience world-class, and we’re committed to exceeding your expectations.

“This school is not only enabling me to enjoy the fullness of life, but as a professional who is having a highly successful career, because of one of these fine dogs.”
— Thomas G. Weidner, PhD | George & Frances Ball Distinguished Professor | Ball State University
Guide Dogs Q&A
How much does it cost to train a guide dog or service dog?
How much does a guide dog cost the recipient?
How long is your guide dog training program?
How long will I have to wait for a guide dog?
Do teens who qualify for the teen guide dog program need to attend guide dog class on campus for three weeks?
