Local Spotlight: Guide Dogs of America

We're so excited to announce that this month we're shining our spotlight on Guide Dogs of America. Since it's origins, this organization has grown to have a nationwide reach and helps partner humans with guide dogs free of charge. 

While this is a national organization, it has a very local feel due to the support from local chapters of the machinists union across the country, including right here in Maryland! Learn more about this organization and then check them out on Facebook to find out how you can get involved.   

History of Guide Dogs of America

Guide Dogs of America was founded more than 70 years ago when Joseph Jones Sr., a retired International Association of Machinists Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) member, was denied a guide dog based on his advanced age.

At the time, he was only 57 years old and needed a guide dog to meet his mobility needs. Not happy to take no as an answer, he partnered with IAMAW to found Guide Dogs of America (originally International Guiding Eyes), the first guide dog school founded by a blind individual, and one of the first with a policy of no upper-age discrimination. 

Today, they continue to support the blind community in numerous ways.

Process for Matching with a Guide Dog

If you need a guide dog, Guide Dogs of America is here to help. They'll provide their services free of charge on their 7.5-acre campus. This includes:

• An expertly matched guide dog
• Personalized instruction for how to care for your dog
• Transportation, along with room and board during your training program
• Veterinary care

The instruction takes place during a 21-day in-residence training program where students enjoy private rooms, complimentary meals, Wi-Fi, a community lounge, and an off-leash dog play area.

The program trains human and canine partners in a variety of locations and scenarios, including city walks, rural routes, malls, restaurants, escalators, and elevators.

Guide Dogs of America Services

After you complete your training with Guide Dogs of America, they'll provide you with lifetime support services, including:

• Telephone support
• Training follow-ups
• Veterinary services
• Boarding
• Access and advocacy

Of course, before you're matched with your dog, you can be sure they've gone through extensive training.

During the training phase, guide dogs are trained for a variety of responses, so that they can help their human partners travel between destinations, stop at changes in elevation, and avoid obstacles.

The training process begins in puppyhood and progresses to include self-exploration and self-discovery, so that dogs can build motivation and confidence to make good decisions for their human partners.

How to Get Involved

Guide Dogs of America is completely donation-based, so they're always happy to receive monetary assistance from anyone who wants to help give back.

If you want to give your time, they also need volunteers for puppy raising. You can volunteer on-site, as well. They're always looking for kennel supervisors, speakers, tour guides, office workers, marketing assistants, and event volunteers.

To help out, fill out the volunteer application or puppy raiser application online.

Shining the Spotlight on Guide Dogs of America

If you love the work that Guide Dogs of America does for the community and nationwide, visit them on Facebook and learn more about how you can help out, or apply for a guide dog of your own.