Help Guide Dogs for the Blind, Inc.

Guide Dogs for the Blind, Inc.

Boring, Oregon

Cause Description:
The Purpose.... The freedom to travel alone with safety and dignity-this is the meaning of a guide dog to many blind individuals. Southeastern Guide Dogs, Inc. was established in 1982 for the sole purpose of providing professionally trained guide dogs to the blind, free of charge. Our administration facility, dormitories and kennels reside on 24 acres in Palmetto, Florida. There are three primary kennels: the adult training kennel, the receiving kennel for dogs just entering training, and a puppy/breeding kennel. In addition, Southeastern has built a pathway of sidewalks and training obstacles, called Freedom Walk. This walk is an integral part of the grounds in Palmetto; volunteers, students and trainers have all benefited from this project. An offsite training center in downtown Bradenton is also operated by the school. This facility provides opportunity for students and trainers to work with guide dogs in a metropolitan setting. The success of our regional training program has led to the opening of Southeastern's first Outreach facility, in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Outreach program permits Southeastern to better serve the needs of the blind in this area. Southeastern is one of only 10 recognized guide dog training centers in the United States and is supported entirely by public contributions. The Beginning... Careful and selective breeding is the first step toward the success of a working guide. Although Southeastern's primary breed is the Labrador Retriever, the Golden Retriever, Australian Shepherd, Smooth Coat Collie, Hungarian Vizsla, and German Shepherd are all used in the breeding program. At two months of age the puppies are placed in the homes of volunteer puppy raiser families or in the IMPACT Program ( Inmates Practicing Animal Care and Training). These families and individuals provide love and guidance to our future guide dogs for approximately one year before returning the puppies to Southeastern. Southeastern has puppy raisers in Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Texas, Tennessee, and the Carolinas, as well as active Impact Programs in Florida, South Carolina and Texas.

Type: Other
Listed on iGive since: August 1997
iGive members supporting: 15

Website: http://www.guidedogs.com

Raised through iGive: $151.14 across 3 checks, August 1999 to May 2001.

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