What About Southeastern Guide Dogs & Guide Dogs of the Desert

Finding the Best Guide Dog Through Southeastern Guide Dogs. “Dogs are miracles with paws.” – Susan Ariel Rainbow Kennedy.

Guide dogs are literally dogs that are trained to aid individuals who are blind or are visually impaired. They are disciplined by professional dog trainers until they are ready to find a good home with people who needs their guidance.

The Southeastern Guide Dogs is a nonprofit organization accredited by the International Guide Dog Federation and a proud member of the Council of U.S. Dog Guide Schools.

Since their establishment in 1982, Southeastern Guide Dogs have been providing guide dogs for people who mostly need their assistance. They have numerous employees and trainers rendering services for each dog so that they will be well-trained and qualified by the time they graduate.

One thing that sets them apart from the rest is their spacious campus that is designed as a park. This allows better learning and development for the canines. They provide a clean atmosphere for the dogs, the trainers and the visitors alike.

The Southeastern Guide Dogs breed their own puppies. They are usually breeds of Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers and a mix line of descent of both. These bloodlines are usually known as the friendliest dogs that is why they are the ones that are being trained for assistance.

From birth, the puppies are trained to work well with people. They are also housebroken so that they get familiar with different aspects including smell, sound, surface and movements.

The dogs undergo an intensive training which includes intelligent disobedience. This means that they are taught on how to disobey commands that may harm people.

The dog trainers, dog walkers and the veterinarians work hand-in-hand to ensure that the canines are health apart from being drilled. They are provided with a veterinarian approved diet, exercise and other fun activities. This is Southeastern Guide Dogs way of raising psychologically well-balanced dogs as well.

If you are visually impaired or if any member of your family is, finding the perfect guide dog may be overwhelming. However, with the Southeastern Guide Dogs, finding one may not be a hard decision.

Because the dogs are individually assessed according to their individual attitudes and behavior, it would be easier for them to find the perfect match for you that suits your personality.

After assessing the right dog for you, you are given 26 days to learn, work and live together with your new buddy on campus. When the both of you suit each other well, graduation follows.

You can now bring your new pal home to guide and protect you as you go through your daily routines. Southeastern Guide Dogs continues to follow-up on the progress of your relationship while you are living with your dog.

In cases where special and extra attention is needed, Southeastern Guide Dogs provide home-based placement services. If you live along the urban areas, Southeastern Guide Dogs ‘ Sarasota is there to serve you. They also conduct workshops and seminars in dog training wherein the proceeds are used to improve Southeastern Guide Dogs facilities.

Guide Dogs in the Desert 101

During the World War I, thousands of brave soldiers lost their sight due to poisonous gas and chemicals emitted from firearms and war weapons. When they were brought to the Veteran’s hospital, a German doctor by the name Gerhard Stalling left his German Shepherd with a blinded patient to keep him company.

As he came back, he saw that his dog was trying to assist the patient. This gave him the idea of opening his own guide dog school wherein Guide Dogs of the Desert drew their inspiration.

In 1972, Mr. Lafayette Maynard established Guide Dogs of the Desert. The main goal was to provide well-trained escort dogs to assist not only the blind but the multi unfit blind as well. Like any striving organization, he started training dogs one by one in his home.

Today, the Department of Consumer Affairs and the California State Law issued necessary license to Guide Dogs of the Desert. When the demand in training guide dogs grew in 1975, they rented a house which had two bedrooms and a garage to accommodate more students.

Soon, further expansions took place because of the ongoing demand for guide dogs. In 1995, breeding facilities were also added together with additional kennels. In 1997, during fall, Guide Dogs of the Desert student housing was finished.

The dormitory was opened for students wherein it was complete with various facilities including an internet access. Extra kennels were again built inside the campus in 1998 for breeding purposes and caring for the puppies.

Guide Dogs of the Desert aims to provide safe mobility to the blind. Through the companionship of a guide dog, any blind person has the opportunity for a life-changing experience.

They also conduct outreach and educational programs to help spread the information about training dogs that will serve as guides.

In order to be eligible for the program, you or your family member must be legally blind. It is also suggested that you must be able to take good care of your health and needs in order to assure responsible pet ownership.

Emotional stability is also a major consideration when applying for Guide Dogs in the Desert. You must at least be fifteen years old, independent and can walk for an hour twice a day. After filing an application, you will be contacted for a personal interview.

Guide Dogs in the Desert will require you to stay in school for 28 days if it is your first time owning a dog. However, if it is not, you can contact them for in-house services. In order to ensure the quality of the dogs that are trained to guide, they have their own breeding facility.

From birth, the puppies are raised and drilled well until they are ready to serve their purposes. After the dog and the new owner completes the required period of study, graduation follows. You are now a proud owner of your own guide dog.

Guide Dogs in the Desert will continue their follow-up services throughout your dog’s lifetime after bringing your pal home. Additional assistance is then rendered after your pal’s retirement.