Southeastern Guide Dogs Inc provides its dogs and training to students free of charge. The school will provide the dog, equipment, training, housing and most meals during your training. Southeastern Guide Dogs Inc will offer your service dog high-quality food, monthly preventatives, vaccinations, and the annual veterinary wellness visit – free of charge. However, you must have the ability to financially cover your service dog’s other veterinary expenses and general expenses such as treats, toys, crate, dog bed, etc.

Our service dogs restore independence, combat loneliness and anxiety, and bring light to the darkness of PTSD. They can interrupt nightmares and flashbacks, turn on a light in a darkened room, and indicate when someone approaches from behind. Their physical touch and presence create positive emotional responses. With unconditional love and loyalty, they become battle buddies for the veterans who need them and can help restore stability and wellbeing. With a dog by their side, veterans share powerful stories of renewed connections with loved ones and society once again.

Eligibility: To qualify for our service dog program, the applicant must:

• Be retired or inactive military, or approaching retirement within the next 3 months
• MUST have an honorable discharge
• Be at least 18 years of age
• Reside in the United States
• Have NO felony convictions, NO history/charges of violent crime, domestic violence, sexual offenses, animal mistreatment/abuse/neglect/cruelty, or protection orders against you
• If an applicant has a history of substance abuse (drugs and/or alcohol), a health professional must provide documentation of sobriety *Please note: a minimum of one (1) year sustained sobriety required
• Have no more than two other dogs at the residence
• Have the cognitive ability to learn training concepts and apply them consistently
• Have the financial ability to cover the expenses associated with the proper maintenance and care for the life of a service dog
• Be able to demonstrate the physical and mental ability to consistently handle, work, and exercise a 50-80 lb service dog
• Be able to demonstrate a need for assistance for one or more of the following challenges: PTSD*, mobility assistance, or seizures. *PLEASE NOTE: If applying for PTSD assistance, it MUST be military service-connected and the applicant MUST be in current treatment with a mental health professional
• Be able to provide a safe, loving, healthy, and stable home for a service dog
• Have an appropriate family/friends support system
• Pass a phone interview with a certified service dog trainer
• Pass an in-home interview with a certified service dog trainer
• Be able to complete a rigorous training course and reside in our campus dorm in Palmetto, FL for 12 days
• Be able to maintain a relationship and communication with Southeastern Guide Dogs Inc for the duration of the dog/handler partnership

Please be aware that an applicant with any of the following conditions is NOT eligible for our programs:

• Any applicant who has had attempts or thoughts of self-harm within the past year
• Any applicant currently receiving dialysis treatment

The waiting period varies depending on how long it takes for paperwork to be submitted and any unique requirements an individual may need from a dog. On average, the waiting period is six months to a year.

Based on their personality, health, temperament, trainability, and suitability for specific careers, most of our dogs enroll in one of the following programs. All are provided at no cost.

Dogs for people with vision loss:

• Guide Dogs – help people with vision loss navigate independently; trained in over 40 skills.
• Kids Companion Dogs – skilled companion dogs enhance independence for children with vision loss, preparing the way for a future guide dog.

Dogs for veterans:

• Guide Dogs – help veterans with vision loss navigate independently; trained in over 40 skills.
• Service Dogs – help veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other disabilities; trained in 15 – 20 skills.
• Facility Therapy Dogs – provide comfort in military medical facilities nationwide.
• Emotional Support Dogs – benefit veterans and help restore a more active lifestyle.
• Gold Star Family Dogs – comfort military family members who have lost a loved one in active service to the nation.

Dogs for children and teens:

• Guide Dogs – help teens with vision loss—ages 15 and up—navigate independently.
• Kids Companion Dogs – skilled companion dogs enhance independence for children with vision loss, preparing the way for a future guide dog.
• Gold Star Family Dogs – comfort military family members who have lost a loved one in active service to the nation.
• Kids Therapy Dogs – matched with adults who assist children and families in adverse circumstances, providing therapeutic reassurance to children in need.

Dogs for genetics & reproduction:

• Breeder Dogs – selected for their fine qualities and traits to ensure continuity of our lines; matched and placed in pre-screened volunteer host homes.

Southeastern Guide Dogs Inc has a national reach and provides all of our dogs and services at no cost to people in all 50 states.

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Because of the generosity of our friends and partners, we provide all of our dogs and services at no cost.