Is a guide dog right for you?
Before you begin your application, here are some questions to help you decide if a guide dog is right for you.
Do you have a degree of visual impairment? You must have a level of vision loss that requires you to use a primary mobility aid to ensure safe, independent travel as determined by an eye care professional.
Are you confident in your orientation and mobility skills? If you haven’t completed your O&M training, then you can find a local instructor by clicking here. O&M training completion is a prerequisite for receiving a guide dog.
Do you walk to destinations by yourself with a cane or a guide dog?
Does your weekly routine include regular outings for work, school, errands, or exercise?
Living and working with a guide dog involves interdependency between human and dog. Are you willing to accept the responsibility to be a consistent and fair leader in such a partnership?
Are those who live with you comfortable with having a dog in the home, and are they willing to comply with some guidelines regarding the care, control, and behavior of your dog? Are your friends and/or co-workers?
Are you comfortable having more contact with people? Partnering with a guide dog attracts the admiration and interest of people around you.
Do you like the idea of having a dog around when your guide is off duty? A guide dog is usually with you twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. A significant aspect of having a guide dog is simply enjoying his or her companionship.
Are you willing to travel with less tactile awareness of your environment? Consider that guide dogs are trained to avoid obstacles rather than locate them (as a long cane does).
Are you able to walk at least one mile or approximately 2,000 steps a day?
Are you willing to trust a dog to guide and keep you safe even if the dog picks a different path than you would have chosen?
Are you able to meet the qualifications for a guide dog?
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Reside in the United States
- Have no felony convictions
- Have no more than two other dogs at the residence
- Be able to provide a safe, loving, healthy, and stable home for a guide dog
- Be available for a phone interview with a certified guide dog instructor
- Be available for an in-home interview with a certified guide dog instructor
- Be able to complete an online training element prior to your campus training or home placement
- Be able to maintain a relationship/communication with Southeastern Guide Dogs for the duration of the dog/handler partnership
Information to gather before you begin your application:
- Provider list (address/phone/fax)
- Primary care provider
- Optometrist/ophthalmologist (eye specialist)
- O&M Instructor
- Three personal references that do not live with you (name, email, phone number)
