Get ready for life unleashed.
Do you want more independence? If you’re a mature teen with vision loss, you might be ready for a guide dog before you finish high school.
We’ve created a special, no-cost guide dog program for responsible teens like you. If you are accepted into our program, we’ll match you with a highly-trained guide dog. Our certified instructor will work with you here on our campus as well as in your home and school environment. You’ll learn how to handle your dog, including basic and advanced cues, navigation skills, and more.
Responsible teen who’s ready to go? We may have just the dog for you.
For teens ages 15 – 17 who are ready, navigating with a guide dog allows you to experience new freedom and confidence, even before venturing out on your own. Our instructors will evaluate your needs and match you with a dog that is just right for you. In addition to teaching you all you need to know, your instructor is available to teach school staff and students proper guide dog etiquette. Then, after your training, our Alumni Support team will follow up with you for the life of the team.
To help you decide if you are ready for a guide dog and its responsibilities, we host a two-day Guide Dog Camp for teens and parents. Teens interested in a guide dog are highly encouraged to attend this camp, at no cost.
For more information about our Youth Guide Dog program, please email youth@guidedogs.org or call 941.479.6598 to learn more.
Apply for a Youth Guide Dog
Who qualifies?
Teens ages 15–17 who:
- Are legally blind
- Have parent/guardian approval, and who agree to financially care for the dog after completion of training. (Note that our partners provide alumni—at no cost—high-quality dog food, monthly preventatives, and an annual veterinary visit.)
- Have completed orientation and mobility (O&M) training
- Are physically fit and capable of handling a large-breed dog
- Maintain passing school grades for the most recent school year
- Live in a safe and stable home environment for a guide dog, with no more than two other dogs
- Reside in the continental U.S.
“Now I have more freedom to do what I want to do without having to rely on other people to help me.”
— Teen Bella with Guide Dog Dixie | Tampa, Florida
