I've volunteered at Guiding Eyes for over 10 years. The love, care and training that Guiding Eyes gives to the dogs is unparalleled . The lives of blind and visually impaired people are dramatically improved when they receive a Guiding Eyes dog. They gain more freedom. I can't say enough about Guiding Eyes and their work. Guiding Eyes provides a life-altering service.
I've been a volunteer for two years as primarily a driver along with other opportunities to be invovled as they become available. I continue to be impressed and motivated from the friendship and selflessness from ALL of the other staff and volunteers that I have had the pleasure to get to know and work with.
I have come to understand how this organization assists people and families in need of support as well as support of the dogs from puppy through retirement. It's quite a journey and none of it works without cooperation and commitment in many forms.
We all need an assist now and again and I am proud to know I have contributed in some small way to the benefit of someone else. Guiding Eyes for the Blind is a shining example of going the extra mile for others and I am proud to represent the organization whenever I can.
Looking forward to continued participation and positive experiences !!!
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I've been a volunteer for about a year and have participated in several different types of activities over that time. I am constantly impressed and motivated from the professionalism and selflessness from ALL of the other staff and volunteers that I have had the pleasure to get to know and work with during that time.
I have come to understand how this organization assists people and families in need of support as well as support of the dogs from puppy through retirement. It's quite a journey and none of it works without cooperation and commitment in many forms.
We all need an assist now and again and I am proud to know I have contributed in some small way to the benefit of someone else. Guiding Eyes for the Blind is a shining example of going the extra mile for others and I am proud to represent the organization whenever I can.
Looking forward to continued participation and positive experiences !!!
The Guiding Eyes for The Blind is an extraordinary organization deserving of recognition and the highest accolades. We have been involved with The Guiding eyes for over two decades. Over the years we have contributed money, volunteered our services, owned two released dogs that became beloved members of our family and provided foster care for another.
During that time, we have become increasingly in awe of the professionalism and unparalleled love, care and training provided by the administration, staff and volunteers to prepare their dogs for the challenges that they will face as they endeavor to improve the lives of their future partners.
The wonderful people at Guiding Eyes that make it all happen are personable, smart, extraordinarily knowledgeable and dedicated to making this world a better place. What more could you ask for? This is a top-notch organization staffed by the best of the best and we are happy to play a very tiny part in helping it succeed in any way we can.
Laurie & Jay S
Guiding Eyes for the Blind is a truly remarkable organization dedicated to empowering individuals with vision loss by providing them with highly trained guide dogs at no cost. Their commitment to transforming lives through independence, companionship, and confidence is inspiring. The team's passion and professionalism shine through in everything they do, making them a beacon of hope and support for those in need. Highly recommended!
The gift of sight is precious. One most of us take for granted as we make our way through every ordinary day. But there are those among us whose sight is impaired, many to the point of blindness. For them, even the simplest of tasks necessitate varying degrees of assistance to be completed safely and successfully.
Since 1954, Guiding Eyes for the Blind has made it their mission to unite exceptional dogs with individuals with vision loss, allowing them to achieve greater independence, confidence, and hope.
Dogs bred, raised and trained by Guiding Eyes for the Blind provide a lifeline for the sightless to a world filled with possibilities and opportunities previously unattainable.
Not only does Guiding Eyes for the Blind train dogs to become qualified Guide Dogs, they match the dogs with their new owners and train both to become a team, relying one another to meet the challenges in life that await.
No one receiving a dog trained by Guiding Eyes for the Blind is charged a fee.
The work of their skilled trainers and dedicated volunteers is ongoing. But the process requires time, and the cost is high.
Guiding Eyes for the Blind is a non-profit organization and depends upon donations to allow their important work to continue. That’s where you come in.
Guiding Eyes for the Blind organization is exceptionally well-run, with clear communication and a strong sense of community among volunteers, staff, and supporters. The level of care and expertise that goes into training these guide dogs is truly impressive, and it’s clear that Guiding Eyes is committed to the highest standards of excellence.
I highly recommend volunteering with Guiding Eyes for the Blind to anyone looking for a meaningful way to give back. The experience not only enriches the lives of others but also brings a deep sense of satisfaction and purpose to those who volunteer. It’s an opportunity to be part of something truly special and life-changing.
I've been volunteering with Guiding Eyes for about a year now and everyone I've met is extremely kind as well as knowledgeable about and patient with the pups. They care so much about the health and development of the pups and making a great match for each client. I've seen firsthand how a guide dog can improve a person's independence and I'm very happy to help the organization with such a valuable mission.
As a volunteer for Guiding Eyes, I get to see first hand the amazing work they do. Equally impressive are the people that spend their days there running the organization and caring for the beautiful dogs. Everyone is deeply invested and caring . It is apparent they love what they do!
I love volunteering at Guiding Eyes for the Blind! It has changed my life. For 8 years I have been doing puppy massage, early socialization, test videos, home socialization, community events, and I fostered and then adopted a breeding pup and adopted another pup. I cannot say enough about how well the GEB puppies are bred, cared for, and trained as guide dogs. ❤️
I have been a volunteer with GEB for four years now. I started out volunteering in the puppy kennel, playing with 6-8 week old puppies! Since then I have started taking puppies home for home socialization, and also taking puppies to media events. I recently adopted a released dog. GEB is an amazing nonprofit. All the employees are tremendously grateful for any help you can give.
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I have been volunteering with Guiding Eyes for the Blind for almost two years. Everyone on the staff is so appreciative of any volunteer work that is done. There are so many different types of volunteer positions, for all ages and abilities. It is a pleasure to volunteer for this amazing nonprofit!
Guiding Eyes for the Blind provides exceptional guide dogs to those with vision loss. They completely rely on donors support in order to fund their mission. Every dollar raised goes to support the incredible work that this non-profit.
I am blessed to work with the Development Team in Direct Mail. I get to experience firsthand the training the students have with their new guide dog. The exciting part is seeing the graduations, where student and guide dog graduate together and go on to experience a new confident and independent life.
Everyone here is committed to our mission of providing exceptional guide dogs to people with vision loss.
Donor Relations Coordinator
RGH
Volunteering in the Puppy Kennel is my happy place. Even when you’re having a bad day seeing these faces makes everything better. Working with these little “hero’s” is nothing short of amazing! The staff are incredible and very grateful for the volunteers. I wish I could dedicate more time. There are so many volunteer opportunities. If you’re looking for a special connection and love puppy breath and wet kisses then this is the place!
A wonderful organization, with years expertise training dogs for individuals with vision loss so they may lead independent lives.
I have been working as a volunteer in early socialization for about 3 years now. I love every minute I spend with each and every puppy. I feel it is an honor to help get these pups ready for the most important job of their lives - helping someone live a better life having them by their sides. Guiding Eyes is an amazing organization - they provide all services completely free of charge to people who are blind or experiencing vision loss. I have also gained a wonderful friendship with my "puppy partner" as we both share a love for our dogs and the satisfaction of helping socialize them. It is an honor to be part of this community.
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Fridays are my very favorite day of the week because that morning I volunteer at Guiding Eyes in Patterson, NY as a kennel volunteer in early socialization. What a great experience - taking care of these puppies for just a few hours each week, knowing they will grow up to be the companion (and eyes) of someone in need is a very special responsibility - which I take very seriously. Guiding Eyes is a wonderful organization with a very special purpose and I am proud to be a small part of it.
I volunteer at the Patterson New York facility. Besides working with the incredible puppies on a weekly basis, I never leave there without the feeling that it is the very best volunteer gig ever! I have to pinch myself to believe it sometimes.
Knowing that we start these little pups off for their lifetime is a wonderful feeling knowing that most will go on to make someone’s life better, more secure and well taken care of, is of itself, awesome, but that I get to be part of this adventure from the beginning is just amazing! I never leave without a smile on my face and love in my heart!
I volunteer Sunday mornings at the Guiding Eyes for the Blind’s Breeding Kennel in Patterson New York. I clean the dogs’ kennels, feed them and walk them. It is a very fulfilling experience. I know I’m helping produce the next generation of guide dogs. The fact that all the dogs are all so sweet, cute and adorable certainly helps gets me out of bed to arrive at the kennel by 7:00am.
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I volunteer in the breeding kennel in Patterson, NY on Sunday mornings. I assist in cleaning the kennels as well as feeding and exercising the dogs. I find it very fulfilling to help such a wonderful nonprofit as Guiding Eyes for the Blind. Working with the dogs is a real treat.
In addition to volunteering, I have also participated in the Home Socialization program. This involves taking young puppies into my home for several days. While with me I reinforce commands and introduce the pups to sights, sounds and flooring textures found in the average home. Guide dogs need to be comfortable in all sorts of situations. I really enjoy it. The puppies are just adorable. It always amazes me how quickly they learn to climb stairs. Coming back down takes longer for the pups to master. I always miss them when I return them to the kennel.
Volunteering with GEB is a unique opportunity. Where else could a dog lover like me spend time each week playing with adorable puppies, all the time knowing that I am playing a small part in preparing these dogs to becoming fully- trained guide dogs, who will enrich the life of a blind person. I truly look forward to coming to GEB every Tuesday - it’s the highlight of my week.
Guiding Eyes for the Blind takes exceptional care of the dogs in their programs and is committed to providing people who are blind or have vision loss with greater independence. Amazing organization!
My brother was born premature,,,,,,,was blind do to being in an incubator,,,,saved his life,but the pure oxygen damaged his optic nerves.,,,my nephew was blinded in a hunting accident at 15 years old ,,,,,,,both are amazing people.
What a wonderful organization. I began volunteering with GEB in fall of 2019, when I was just a junior in high school. I began the pre-puppy classes and fell in love with the people and the dogs that worked for the organization. In 2020 I received my first puppy right in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. GEB is an amazing community, even with being secluded by the pandemic, I found raisers across the east coast reaching out and also had the support of so many in our region. The people all genuinely care about the mission to provide excellent dogs for people with visual impairments and care for each other. I am so happy I got involved with this organization.
Our family got involved with Guiding Eyes for the Blind (GEB) about 5 years ago as a family volunteer project. We had a dog as a family pet and thought raising a puppy would be a lot of fun. It was, but it was also a good amount of work. First GEB screens all applicants, does home visits, and interviews all the potential raisers to make sure the home is safe, and everyone involved is committed (including the family dog). Next there was a fair amount of training about the specifics of how GEB wanted the puppies raised and the training methods. We got to go the actual training sessions and practice with puppies that were already in the program. We also got a chance to "puppy sit" for a few weekends to make sure we were up for the challenges before getting our puppy. The initial screening and training took a few months but really helps you prepare.
We got our puppy, and the fun and work began right away. Initially the puppy is somewhat constrained to the classes and the immediate area around where you live. Once they get all their basic shots and they get more confidence you start to bring them to more public places (grocery stores, big box stores, etc.). For the first several weeks you generally meet weekly with the puppy class so the pups get to meet and work with other pups. GEB also has a regional coordinator that has lots of experience and will work with the raisers on particulars or issues the pup (or raiser) may be having. After about 4 months old the classes go to twice a month. About every three months or so one of the professional trainers will visit the region to see the pup in action and offer some advice and recommendations. These are always very informative and gives you a sense for how you as a raiser and the pup are progressing.
You keep working with the pup until they are about 18 months old or so and then they go back up to New York for an advanced review by the professional team to determine whether the pup is ready for more training to become a guide dog or perhaps some other working dog career. The raisers are invited to attend, and this is a very exciting trip to see the kennels with so many dogs and the whelping center with the tiniest of puppies...many cuddle puddles for sure! It is a bittersweet feeling to see the pup go but when you think of the impact they will have on a vision impaired person's life it is all worth it. You can also soften the blow by getting another puppy and starting over!
Here are some of the best things I love about volunteering with GEB
- Really great people. From the professionals in New York to the Regional volunteers every person we deal with is dedicated and passionate about the program.
- The regional structure allows people from all over (not just New York) to be raisers and deal directly with the puppies.
- The organization is pretty well resourced. They provide kennels and work with you regarding vet bills, food, etc...the only out of pocket resources are time and love.
- There is a lot of flexibility with the program. Some people raise puppies through the full 16-18 months, others just sit for puppies so raisers get a break for vacations or other obligations where the pup can't go, and some just do raising for the first few months for raisers than can't be home all the time during those crucial first months.
- They care about the raisers as much as the pups. We had one pup that was a real handful and we worked with our regional coordinator for some extra help but the pup was a just a tough nut...great dog but just a real workload. GEB realized both the pup and us were getting close to wits end and they arranged for the pup to be sent to a more experienced trainer. Ultimately the pup made it through the training and to New York for more advanced guide dog training. GEB did a really nice job seeing that it was not working out and the pup needed more experienced work. Since then, we have raised three more pups all with great success and fun.
I have volunteered with a lot of other organizations (Scouts, youth sports, etc.) and nothing has been as fulfilling as working with the people and pups at GEB. They are a class organization and the mission is so rewarding to be part of. To be sure, this is not for everyone. It is hard work and a big time commitment but also very fun and absolutely worth it.
I have been volunteering for quite a while. I look forward to my Friday afternoons working with the puppies. I feel that I'm doing something very worthwhile by preparing them to go on with their training to become guiding eyes for the blind.
I discovered Guiding Eyes for the Blind one day when my GPS sent me past the Yorktown facility. I did a little research and was impressed. What the trainers accomplish with these special dogs is truly amazing! I now volunteer at both the whelping kennel and the training school. It’s such a great cause and so much fun. I love it! - Janice
We have had the opportunity to work with Guiding Eyes for the Blind for the past 7 years. We have loved everything about our puppy raising experience. From the sweet soft puppy kisses to watching our puppies open up the world to several visually impaired teens. We have appreciated the top notch veterinary support as well as the training support guiding us through the process of raising a puppy every step of the way. It has been an amazing experience.
Raising 4 dogs has been an amazing experience for our family. We have had great support from everyone in the organization, from our regional coordinator to staff in Yorktown Heights. It has been such a fulfilling experience to see the difference our guide dogs make on the world!
My kids wanted a dog. For years. After the nteenth "persuasive essay" at school, we decided to puppy raise for Guiding Eyes as a compromise. 8 years later, we are now on puppy #7. This organization has greatly exceeded my expectations. They are extremely serious about their mission to raise fantastic guide dogs. I have been very impressed with how data driven they are, and how willing they are to change and adapt. At the same time, they are very supportive of the volunteer raisers. The professional staff is fantastic and the volunteers who help manage the regions are wonderful. They are always there in a crisis (i.e. the time my dog ate rat poison at work) as well as the regular training classes. In 8 years, the leaders have never been late or missed a training session. The organization itself communicates very well with raisers as the dogs moves through the program - I am still in regular contact with most of the people who now have my dogs. Personally, as a 50 something professional, have learned a lot about myself and how I relate to others as I have learned to help raise independent, confident dogs. It has been fun to learn new skills at this stage of life - I find it is rare to have people willing to take the time to help me learn, especially when I hit bumps. The trainers are aware they are training people as well as dogs - and they are good at it. Finally, I love the fellow raisers I have met. They are an eclectic group of people from lots of different walks in life - they have greatly expanded my friendship networks - I miss them whenever I am not raising.
Guiding Eyes for the Blind is an amazing organization that I am proud to support! Being a volunteer puppy raiser has changed my life. It is an honor to live and to work with these incredible dogs! I cannot think of a more rewarding experience. I look forward to many years of volunteering for this wonderful organization.
We've volunteered at Guiding Eyes for several years as puppy socializers. We take 2 or 3 adorable pups into our home for several days to help acclimate them to different environments, sounds, people, etc.
These fabulous pups then go on to raisers / trainers who turn them into virtual life savers for sight-challenged people.
Guiding Eyes has been assisting the sight-challenged for many years and they are one of the most wonderful nonprofit organizations out there!
Raising a puppy is such a fulfilling experience for my entire family. Guiding Eyes for the Blind Inc warmly welcomed us into the organization. Their staff is very supportive and knowledgeable. Their guidance and passion is immeasurable. It’s amazing to watch our puppy learn and grow daily. We know she will make a tremendous difference in someone’s life one day, because she’s already doing that in ours.
I knew I would get involved in GEB when I retired but I thought I would be a puppy raiser. It became clear it would be difficult for me to do as I was babysitting a new grandchild. A chance meeting with a stud foster changed my course of action and I became a foster to a brood. It was a great fit and after visiting the Patterson Breeding Kennel, I decided to volunteer there also. I have been in puppy socialization, and Helga’s foster for about a year. I cannot believe how lucky I am to be involved in such a meaningful nonprofit. After hearing testimonials from students, I know what I do as a volunteer changes peoples lives. I am very proud of my brood and hope some of her puppies go onto become service dogs until then I will help socialize puppies so they too can begin their journey to becoming the best dogs they were bred to be.
Our family has been volunteering for Guiding Eyes for the Blind for over 15 yrs. We have volunteered thru the home socialization program & currently are fostering a stud. Both opportunities have been beneficial in teaching our kids responsibilities & giving to others. We feel that we gain so much more than we give because these dogs provide unconditional love while in your home. It is so rewarding to see them grow & be able to help the visually impaired.
Having been a volunteer with a variety of duties at Guiding Eyes for nearly 8 years now, I have loved every minute of my time spent with this organization. The mission to enrich the lives of the blind and visually impaired; the commitment of staff, volunteers, and donors to achieve that mission; and last but not least, the exceptional dogs that are bred, raised and trained by so many dedicated people make this a truly great non-profit!
My short time with Guiding Eyes for the Blind (GEB) has exceeded my expectations. I'm a retired firefighter and was looking for an outlet to continue the sense of self worth I had as a firefighter. I know that my time with GEB is time well spent, and I've experienced only kindness and appreciation from the clients and staff of GEB. Whenever I'm there, it seems every person I meet thanks me for my time. It's been just such a wonderful experience and I'm humbled to be considered a part of the GEB team.
I have volunteered with Guiding Eyes for 6 years and have loved every minute. What’s not to love about snuggling and training 6 week old cute puppies! GEB is an outstanding organization that values their volunteers in helping them achieve their goal of providing outstanding guide dogs to those in need. I have been involved with their Early Socialization program and their home socialization programs. It is a rewarding experience knowing I am helping with the early training of the puppies so they can move along in the program and eventually graduate to a fully trained guide dog. The people I have met and worked with at GEB are exceptional and truly love what they do. GEB is a great program doing a great job!
I've had the pleasure of volunteering with Guiding Eyes for the Blind since my days at PepsiCo. It is incredibly well-run and filled with passionate people.
This is a very well run organization that my family has been working with for over a decade. We help socialize the puppies that will grow into guide dogs. The process of arranging puppy visits is consistently professional and the facility is clean and well-tended. And of course, the puppies are wonderful!
The experience that this Center offers families is unreal! The Socialization Program was established & follows guidelines of compassion, love, education, helpfulness & safeness while remaining professional
I will continue to recommend to many of my community & family members
A blessing for my children to have, continue to be a part of
Thank you❤️
Volunteering for GEB has been such a wonderful experience. GEB is close and dear to my heart due to its mission and work. Also due to a personal experience. My grandfather lost his eyesight at a very late age. Seeing him maneuver life afterward was so hard. I had wished as a little girl that I knew about GEB. There are so many great opportunities to volunteer. This is my 3rd exposure. It feels great to be able to provide support to them. The "kindergarten" socialization program at the Canine Development Center was so fun!! Puppy kisses and tons of fun interacting with litters at the facility. Check out these playtime pics. I guess I wore them out!
I am a volunteer and staff member at Guiding Eyes for the Blind. In my opinion, it speaks volumes that many staff members also volunteer on behalf of Guiding Eyes. Volunteers are at the heart of our organization and we could not carry out our mission without their amazing support. There are many different volunteer roles to choose from and the puppies and dogs will steal your heart. I highly recommend getting involved with Guiding Eyes for the Blind!
Volunteering for Guiding Eyes as a puppy socialized is a totally joyous experience. Please consider helping this organization achieve their goal of placing well trained seeing eye dogs to people in need at no cost to the recipient. There are many ways to help and I assure you that you will gain more from the experience than you thought possible.
I started volunteering at Guiding Eyes for the Blind nearly 10 years ago. I began volunteering with them because I needed something to do while I looked for a job after graduating college. I also had never had a dog and always wanted one and I saw Guiding Eyes as an excellent opportunity to spend time with dogs. I love guiding eyes because of the staff and the time that I can spend with the dogs. My experience at Guiding Eyes has been so positive. Guiding Eyes has given me the greatest gift of all: the gift of feeling confident in taking care of a pet and giving them unconditional love. They’re a really wonderful organization!
I have had such an amazing and positive experience working with Guiding Eyes for the Blind. The colleagues and other volunteers have been so welcoming and eager to help me learn about the process and get me involved in their important mission. It is truly remarkable work and amazing things that they do for their students and dogs in their program and I have been so pleased to be a part of something this special and important. It takes a certain type of person to make this type of work successful and Guiding Eyes is certainly a leader in their field.
I have been a volunteer for several years and love this organization! I have been lucky enough to work in both locations (Yorktown & Patterson) and find all the people working there are dedicated and helpful to the work being done. I am super proud to be a part of it!
Volunteering each week with Guiding Eyes has provided me with a consistent sense of reward and fulfillment. Staff are highly skilled and passionate about what they do. It has been truly amazing to participate in the support and care of these heroic dogs who go on to empower countless lives.
Dear Team:
The most recent Covid-Protical-Manditory-Shelter-at-Home-Order in this State may have expired by now, but thanks to the shelter for the puppy & Blue-birthday card.
The birthday card, Blue, had quite an impression with the lead nurse, Blue.
My guess lead nurse may have a different color in mind, but the cancer is now gone, & blood pressure medically removed now, & now, returned to normal.
Blue was good for my spirits at the hospital, then & now..
Thank you Guiding Eyes for the blind teams.
Sincerely,
Junichi Schaeffer
GEB is a wonderful nonprofit! The amount of support and training we have received from our regional manager and fellow puppy raisers has been top notch since the first day we began fostering our future guide dog. The veterinarians are very responsive and supportive in making sure the puppies are healthy. GEB is a life-changing organization!
The service Guiding Eyes provides at no charge to its graduates is priceless and the organization attracts a wide range of dedicated volunteers that help make it happen.
From birth, puppies enter an Early Socialization program as part of their training. Their progress is meticulously charted and recorded. This high level of specialized dog training offers blind people opportunities that could not exist otherwise.
I am completely enjoying my volunteer opportunity!
We started fostering guide dogs for Guiding Eyes for the Blind a little over a year ago. We are now fostering our 4th guide dog and it has been an incredible experience.
Our longest foster was with us for many months due to Covid restrictions and we became quite attached to him-
However, seeing the video of him meeting his sight impaired child when Guiding Eyes placed him made it all worth the disappointment in seeing him leave.
Guiding Eyes has made the experience all the more rewarding by offering training sessions, around the clock veterinary availability, and prompt answers to any questions we might have.
I can only imagine how amazing it must be for someone in need of a guide dog to receive one of these incredible and loving dogs.
My wife and I have been volunteer puppy raisers for Guiding Eyes for the Blind for 15 years; this volunteer work has been very gratifying.
Guiding Eyes provides excellent support to its puppy raisers through its Regional Managers and other staff, as well as through a vast library of excellent videos and written materials. The training methodology centers on relationship building with the pup and positive reinforcement; redirection is used rather than negative reinforcement. Guiding Eyes is devoted to producing the best possible guide dogs and is continuously refining its methods and procedures.
The pups get the best veterinary care throughout their lives. Best of all, the pups “choose” their path through behavioral observation and testing. Only slightly more than one third of the pups whelped at Guiding Eyes’ breeding facility ultimately become guide dogs; some are selected to join Guiding Eyes’ breeding program; other pups choose different careers, such as being a detection dog; and still others are made available for adoption and become beloved pets.
End users of the guide dogs receive extensive training in the use and care of the dog. They also receive ongoing support from Guiding Eyes staff in their home community throughout the working life of the dog. (Although Guiding Eyes is based just north of New York City, recipients live throughout the U.S. – for example, four of the pups we have raised are guiding in various parts of southwestern U.S.) And, Guiding Eyes covers all the expenses of the dog, its training, the recipient’s training, and ongoing support – the recipient pays nothing.
A benefit of being a puppy raiser is the social connection with other puppy raisers in the region. Also, raisers learn much from each pup – patience and persistence are among the things learned!
The most frequent question we are asked is “how can you give the pup back after spending a year or more raising it?” It certainly is important to keep in mind from the start and throughout the time with a pup you are raising that this is not your own pup. And, the best cure for missing the pup you have raised is to raise another pup! The primary thing that eases the separation, however, is knowing that after further training at Guiding Eyes, the pup you raised may make a tremendous difference in someone’s life as a guide dog. As one end user has stated, receiving a guide dog is “a profound gift”; helping a puppy along the way to becoming a guide dog is undoubtedly the most gratifying aspect of being a puppy raiser.
We are puppy raisers for this incredible organization. They have built a strong network of raisers and sitters as well as experienced trainers that all work to create working dogs for the sight impaired. Initial training for us as well as reinforcement through on site puppy sessions and additional online materials hones our skills. Having sitters available allows us to take time off without worrying - we know our puppy will be with equally skilled raisers that continue to work with our dogs. We are proud to be a team member of GEB!
Guiding Eyes is an amazing organization! They truly care about the dogs and the students going through their programs and are always there to support the raisers in whatever they need. Guiding Eyes is the reason that I am pursuing a degree in canine training. Had it not been for my experience with them I would never have known the passion I have for raising and training dogs and would be stuck in a degree that I didn't have nearly as much passion for.
My husband and I were fortunate enough to participate in a few Guiding Eyes voluntary programs. A friend suggested we contact Guiding Eyes to volunteer. We started by socializing puppies. I love puppies! We would get 1-3 puppies at a time for a couple of days. It was fun exposing them to new things! Then we went on to volunteer for the Brood and Stud program. The training was fun and enlightening. We fell in love with Mallory (our brood) when we first met her in training. Guiding Eyes works hard to match dogs with their owners. They did a perfect job matching us together. The foster program was a wonderful experience - to watch your brood become a mom is so cute. It is also very rewarding to know these pups will enhance someone’s life when they grow up. Guiding Eyes provided support and demonstrated so much appreciation during the time we were fostering. We were the ones that should thank them!
Marilyn and Art Teicher
I volunteer for two positions at Guiding Eyes for the Blind. I do data input for the cyrology lab and I am an early socialization provider in the whelping kennel. The program treats their volunteers with the utmost respect and gratitude. They are easy to communicate with and take time to train you for what you are there to volunteer for. Can't say enough good things about GEB!
Our first puppy to raise for Guiding Eyes for the Blind Inc. (GEB) – Buffy, an 8-week old yellow Labrador – came to live with us on Sept 13, 2019. Though we had never raised a large breed puppy before, Guiding Eyes prepared us well to receive our puppy. Staying with us through the entire process, Guiding Eyes taught us how to train and care for the puppy through weekly puppy classes and instruction. We even got to go on several fun field trips with the class as well as many routine outings as a family. It didn’t take long for Buffy became a part of our family – accompanying us on weekly shopping errands, going into the office “to work”, having fun playing in the backyard, and taking well-deserved naps after a long day. It was truly a joy having Buffy as part of our family for 20 months and seeing her grow from rambunctious puppy into a well-mannered, sweet dog with an excellent work ethic. Returning Buffy to GEB for her formal training was a bitter-sweet moment – like watching a child leaving for college. Words cannot express how proud we are of how she far she has come and knowing she will bring her graduate great value in the remarkable work, and companionship once she finishes her training.
Our second puppy, Fairlee, an 8-week old black Labrador – joined our family from GEB on Feb 24, 2021, while our time with Buffy was drawing to a close. Both of the puppies together filled our house with much happiness and love. As Fairlee is now our focus, we have found each puppy has a unique personality. We can all agree – Fairlee like Buffy, brings boundless energy and joy to our household along with new opportunities to explore the world through her eyes. We are excited to see Fairlee grow and are eager to see where her future may lead.
As a volunteer puppy raiser for the last four years, we have learned that our role is simply to love these dogs so they can serve others. Is that not the simple task of parenting or any meaningful relationship? We love to provide a foundation for service and in so doing we are loved and served. Guiding Eyes for the Blind has been transformational to folks with vision loss and for folks who see alike. Dixcy Bosley Washington DC
I have been volunteering for Guiding Eyes for the past 6 years. I have a brood dog, Emerald who has had 4 litters and 37 puppies for GEB, she also works every day at school with me and her daughter Quinn as comfort dogs. I have also done home litter care (HLC) for 6 litters as well as puppy socializing. All of this has been the most wonderful experience not only for my family but for the thousands of students that they work with every day. They are such superstars that 3 of my colleagues are fostering brood or stud dogs as well. GEB is such a wonderful organization to be involved with. My daughter who has been volunteering with me wrote her college essay on how working with GEB has given her so much more than she has received. I will be involved with this organization for as long as I can in the future, as soon as they retire Emerald I will get another brood, you get so much more than you give from this wonderful organization.
I’m raising a puppy for the first time and have had Wonderful support from GEB staff. They are all so sweet and gentle with the dogs and to me that is an indication of the overall integrity of the organization. It’s no surprise that Amazing guide dogs emerge from the program are out there as incredible companions and helping people near and far.
I volunteer for Guiding Eyes for the Blind because I know the work I do will eventually make a difference in a person's life one day. The pups are adorable and the Guiding Eyes instructors are patient, kind and appreciative of how you are helping them. As a sitter I am able to pick and choose when I can host a dog in training. I love that flexibility! One day I hope to be raiser myself.
My wife and I started as puppy raisers with Guiding Eyes about 5 years ago. We raised two pups, and after a job layoff, decided to take a break. However, around that same time, our second pup Colton was medically released due to (ironically) eye issues. We adopted him as our own and he's now nearly 4 years old.
The interesting thing is, instead of waving good bye and saying thanks, the Maine region of guiding eyes asked us to help out as puppy sitters and new raiser liaisons. So now, along with Colton, we remain active with the region, supporting their efforts where we can.
Guiding eyes has been one of the most rewarding volunteer opportunities we have been involved with, and we have always appreciated the friendship, guidance and love this organization shares.
We initially got involved with Guiding Eyes for the Blind in 2002. Two years prior, my 4 year old son had gotten severely attacked by a neighbor's Akita. He endured weeks in the hospital and months of recovery. Needless to say, he and his twin brother became paralyzing terrified of dogs. We realized that we needed to help our children overcome their fear of dogs, so we got involved with the Home Socialization volunteer program at Guiding Eyes for the Blind where we had the opportunity to take a few 6-8 week old puppies to our home for a weekend. At first my children remained fearful of the cute puppies, but the more we did it, the more comfortable they became around dogs. Afterall, who doesn't love a puppy? After participating in this volunteer program for a few years, we had the opportunity to keep the puppies over a long July 4th holiday weekend. When they left, our house felt empty, and we realized that we wanted to have a dog of our own. However, given our children's history, we knew we could not bring in an untrained or unpredictable dog. So we volunteered to be a foster family to a breeding dog. We saw this as a way to continue to be involved with an amazing organization, as well as a way to grow our family by having a dog live with us. And not just any dog. Breeding dogs are truly the best of the best, and we were honored to be able to provide a loving foster home to a dog whose job was to produce more guide dogs. That was back in 2004. Since then, we have fostered 5 breeding dogs. For over 10 years we had two breeding dogs, Eileen and Nilla, or "the ladies" as we affectionately called them. Any time we were out in public with our dogs, people would compliment us on how well-behaved they were and how well they listened to us. We never missed an opportunity to brag about who they were, their job and mission in life, and Guiding Eyes for the Blind. In 2019 both "ladies" passed away at ages 12 & 13. We were devastated and grief-stricken over the loss of our family members. By this time my children were both out of the home, and losing Eileen and Nilla made our house feel even emptier. But even as senior citizen dogs we always continued to maintain our connection to Guiding Eyes for the Blind, and a few months after their passing, we decided that we wanted to foster another brood. Enter Noni. Noni is a 60-pound dog who thinks she is a toy lap dog. Her favorite places to be, besides sitting on a lap, are hiking in the woods or swimming in any kind of water. Noni is brilliant, sweet, gentle, playful, and just a little bit stubborn. Noni brought such a sense of youth and playfulness to our empty-nest home. She keeps up with our active lifestyle, and we are forever grateful that we get to provide a loving home to Noni. We also never miss an opportunity to brag about her lot in life and how proud we are that she has been chosen to create future guide dogs. Noni has had three litters for Guiding Eyes for the Blind, and she has been blessed with having huge litters. We are currently doing home litter care for her most recent litter of 9 puppies (and 1 adopted from another brood who was unable to care for her puppy). Although we are the "volunteers" for Guiding Eyes for the Blind, we truly feel like we are beneficiaries of this incredible organization. For us to be able to welcome Noni and her puppies into our home, feels like such a gift they are giving to us. And just like when we bragged when we were out with "the ladies" or out with Noni, volunteering to do home litter care has given us the opportunity to brag, this time through social media, about Guiding Eyes for the Blind and the special work these 10 little puppies will do in their lives. Every time Noni is pregnant, we never forget that despite morning sickness, fatigue, loss of appetite, feeling fat, Noni is doing a job that will change people's lives. And to be able to play even a small part in that process is such a remarkable feeling. While we wish our son were never attacked by a dog, we are so grateful for the 20 year connection we have had with Guiding Eyes for the Blind, and the small role we played in countless number of puppies' lives as they began their journey and destiny to change people's lives.
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Our family has been involved with Guiding Eyes for the Blind since 2002. We initially became involved after one of our twins was brutally and viciously attacked by a neighbor's dog, which required a prolonged hospital stay and multiple surgeries. Following the dog attack, my then 5 year old twins were terrified of all dogs. Our first level of involvement with GEB was for purely selfish reasons. We became puppy home socializers. We thought this would be a great way for our boys to overcome their fear of dogs. After all, who can resist a cute cuddly puppy! Our boys soon overcame their fear of dogs, and looked forward to the weekends where we could bring a few new puppies into our home. Those home socialization weekends brought so much joy and love into our home, as well as great "therapy" to help our boys overcome their fear of dogs. After a long July 4th holiday weekend where we kept puppies in our house for 5 days, our home felt empty after the puppies left. It was then that we realized that we wanted a dog of our own in our home. But it was also at that time that we realized how important it was for us to remain involved and connected with GEB. We signed up to become fosters in the breeding program. Having been open and honest with our story, we were matched with the most gentle, sweet, mellow, and confident young brood. Her name was Queenie, although her nickname was "lumpy head" because of a congenital bump on the top of her head. Queenie lived up to her regal name. She became royalty in our home, and our family doted on her to no end. During Queenie's first (and only) pregnancy, she suffered terribly from nausea and loss of appetite. Towards the end of the pregnancy we were hand-feeding her small bits of ground beef, just to ensure that she continued to nourish her puppies. After her delivery of a beautiful litter, Queenie's appetite did not resume. While in the whelping kennel, it was discovered that Queenie had a congenital kidney disease which was not picked up prior to the pregnancy. Queenie returned to our home after whelping her puppies, but she was discharged from the breeding program, and we were told that her condition would deteriorate quickly. We were sad over the prospect of losing Queenie, but we were also sad with the idea that we were no longer part of the GEB community. It was at that time that we made the decision to take in another brood. We were matched with Eileen, another sweet, confident, and loving young dog. Eileen and Queenie quickly formed a strong bond, and we truly believe that Eileen's presence in our home helped Queenie to hold on as long as she did. Almost one year after delivering her litter, Queenie let us know that she was done fighting her battle against kidney disease. Our family was devastated and felt the loss of Queenie in our home. The GEB breeding community helped us mourn and grieve, but also helped us remember how much joy Eileen received in having a pal in the home. A few months after we lost Queenie, we welcomed a spunky and lively Nilla into our home. Nilla was unlike any brood we had ever had. Nilla was a brilliant problem-solver. She would not have made a good guide dog, because we were told that Nilla knew she was smarter than the people and knew a better and quicker way to get things done. Nilla clearly had a mind of her own, and she reminded us of that when she escaped our fenced in yard, when she ate a chocolate cake off the counter, and when she climbed on the kitchen table to eat a bowl of pineapple. All of this within the first week of Nilla coming to our home! But Nilla brought a level of playfulness and high energy that we needed to help us mourn our sweet Queenie, and GEB diligently worked with us to perfect our training with Nilla and to re-establish rules and boundaries. And smart Nilla quickly became a wonderful addition to our home. Unfortunately, Nilla did not make such a great mom. With her one (and only) litter, Nilla needed some coaxing and encouragement to care for her puppies. With so few of her puppies passing their puppy tests, GEB decided to retire Nilla from the program. But Eileen went on to be a prolific breeder for GEB, producing 7 litters and at least 42 puppies. Several of Eileen's progeny went on to become breeders themselves, and still many many others became working guides. Some of our proudest moments were when we got to attend the graduation of one of Eileen's babies, as they began their own lives as guide dogs. Eileen and Nilla lived with us until the ripe ages of 13 and 14. They participated in all of our family events and milestones. They became known as "the ladies" in our home. When Eileen was retired from breeding at age 6, we were very sad to no longer be part of the GEB community. But we never forgot where Nilla and Eileen came from, and whenever and whereever we had the chance, Nilla and Eileen were the best ambassadors for GEB, showing off their impeccable manners and training, and giving us an opportunity to share with others their important life jobs. Nilla and Eileen passed away within 6 months of one another, and our home felt empty and quiet without them. Our twins were grown and out of the house, and my husband and I were dealing with having just discovered that one of our sons had an addiction problem. You would think that with all of that on our plate, the last thing we needed was to take on another dog into our home. That's what we thought too, but we missed our connection with GEB and we missed having a dog in our home, so we re-connected with our GEB friends, having been "retired" from the breeding program for almost 8 year. We were welcomed back with open arms. It felt like a homecoming to reconnect with the staff who had known us since 2002, and we enjoyed getting to know the new staff who had joined in the years since we were gone. We became Noni's fosters in August 2019. Noni is a playful, cuddly, snuggly, and loving 60 pound dog who thinks she is a small lap dog. Noni's most favorite place in the world is to curl up on someone's lap. That is, when she is not running around the woods or swimming in the ocean, her other two favorite things to do. Since living with us, Noni has had two amazingly large litters. Noni's second litter was born this past September. It was the first litter born to GEB since having to shut down in March due to COVID. Noni had 11 perfect little pups, and she brought back a renewed sense of joy and hope to everyone involved in GEB that the breeding program would continue, despite a global pandemic! We are so proud of Noni's role in life, and just as Nilla and Eileen became great ambassadors for GEB, we never miss an opportunity to tell people about Noni's life job and the amazing puppies she creates which will one day become guide dogs. I admit that we got involved with GEB for very selfish reasons, to help our children overcome their fear of dogs, but our involvement with GEB continues to enhance our lives each and every day. In the 18+ years we have been involved with GEB, we have watched them continually grow and perfect guide dog training, breeding, whelping, and even early puppy care. The work GEB does is nothing short of miraculous, and we are so grateful to play our small role in the amazing and incredible work GEB performs.
Guiding Eyes for the Blind is a crucial part of our family. We’re raising our fourth puppy for them and I can’t imagine ever not being involved with this organization. As volunteers we get to share in the joy of their work, all while meeting some great people along the way. We’re so thankful to be part of Guiding Eyes for the Blind.
Liberty is the first pup I am raising for Guiding Eyes for the Blind, but I have been a faithful volunteer for about 4 years. I love working with these dogs, seeing their growth and improvements, and find it so rewarding that our dogs give the wonderful gift of independence and confidence to their handlers. I love Guiding Eyes and I love the community of supportive puppy raisers around me as well!
In 2014 I unfortunately lost my vison due to a farm accident, but thankfully I was able to regain vision in my left eye about six months later. After knowing how tough it is to navigate this world without your vision, I always said that I wanted to make a difference in the blind community somehow. My girlfriend and I foster Heyden & Midnight, two of Guiding Eyes' stud dogs, and I can't explain just how much joy it brings me knowing that our boys are producing many many puppies that will go on to guide those who cannot see for themselves! Heyden & Midnight are also making a difference at home, as we raise large draft horses and do not for profit work with disabled individuals, veterans, and first responders. These individuals and families LOVE interacting with our dogs, and they are without a doubt making a major impact at home on the farm, as well as breeding at Guiding Eyes. We look forward to a long relationship with this amazing organization!
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In 2014 I lost vison in both of my eyes due to an unexpected accident on my farm. I was lucky enough to regain vision in one eye, and I always said that if I get my vision back, I was going to find a way to give back to the blind community. I am affiliated with many charitable organizations in the area, and am by far the most proud of the work that I do with Guiding eyes. My girlfriend and I, are the proud fosters of two stud dogs, Heyden and Midnight, who have already had close to thirty puppies to help guide those who cannot see! We do not for profit work on our farms with kids and adults with disabilities, veterans, and first responders, and our two dogs are always what our guests walk away loving the most! We are very thankful to be a part of this amazing organization!
The brood /stud program
Is the most amazing program I have ever experienced. Not only do we have the most amazing dog Oakland but we have met so many amazing friends and other dogs that we now call family. I highly recommend everyone to try it out.
We first started with Guiding Eyes by fostering Okemo, an 8 week old black lab in 2019. We went to classes every few weeks to teach her basic guide dog and important social skills. We took her everywhere-restaurants, breweries, out to coffee and socialized her with children as much as possible. She passed her IFT which is the test for guide dog training, but was instead chosen as a potential breed dog. We agreed to foster her as a breeder and she gave birth recently to 3 beautiful lab puppies who will likely be future guide dogs.
We also socialize puppies, which means you take 2-3 puppies home for a few days and expose them to people and new experiences. It's a lot of work and messy as you could imagine, but so much fun even when you feel their sharp little teeth on you! All the neighbors come to visit when we have puppies. They are so cute!
Guiding Eyes has always been very easy to work with. The physical and emotional health of their dogs is their priority. Their vet care is excellent and always easy to access as a foster. They immediately return emails when you have a question. Their dogs are smart and bred well with good temperaments. The Patterson facility is clean and the dogs are well cared for. Okemo jumps out of the car and runs up the stairs whenever we need to visit. The staff is very friendly and it's obvious they love animals. It's been a rewarding experience to foster her and we've learned a lot in the past 2 years.
My wife and I have volunteered with Guiding Eyes for 5 years - it is a wonderful organization united by a common purpose to bring independence to the visually impaired. Of course, what makes it all work are the remarkable dogs that give selflessly on our behalf every day. Each one of them models the devotion and caring required to truly help others and all they require in return are a few treats and a scratch behind the ear. They inspire us every day to be as generous with our love as they are with theirs. Our association with Guiding Eyes dogs have made us better humans.
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If you love dogs, Labrador Retrievers, and helping your fellow humans, GEB is a community you want to be a part of. My family came to GEB because of dogs and labs, but we stay because of the positive impact that GEB has on the lives of those who are helped by these amazing animals. The entire organization is united behind this love of dogs and their ability to return independence to those with visual impairments. Join us in supporting this incredible organization.
We have had Ernest for over 2 years. The joy he has brought us , our neighbors , children and the seniors he interacts with is incalculable . As a guiding eyes Stud, he happily does his 3-5 Miles of walks each day and wants to play or just hang out. His temperament and intellect are apparent… We love him as one of our children. Bravo Guiding eyes….
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Ernest has been in our lives for almost a year. He is an integral part of our family. As a GEB stud , his official duties are limited but his greater role is companion, family member and happy and loving Happiness ambassador to all. The GEB breeding kennel is a loving and giving place. Each dog is a unique personality that is carefully chosen to ultimately enhance the life of a deserving sight challenged individual in one of many ways. The loving care and education of these special dogs is so apparent from the first moment one arrives. My family and I adopted a released puppy 18 years ago who completed our family for 14 years. Rodney was so special we can’t imagine how life would have been without him. Along came Ernest, the sweet ,loving and goofy bruiser . No words can convey the joy and fun he has brought to our home. He has become the mayor of the neighborhood in this Covid environment with many walking dogs and enjoying the outdoors. God bless Maria and her GEB staff and vets.
I have volunteered as a puppy raiser for Guiding Eyes for the Blind for nine years. They are a wonderful organization that places guide dogs with the blind and visually impaired free of charge. I feel highly valued as a volunteer and believe 100% in their mission. I am happy and proud to be part of their volunteer network.
We are all capable of giving back, whether it’s with our time, our money, or volunteering for a cause that is near to us. Four years ago, my oldest son who happens to be blind, received a guide dog, Patrick. Patrick has provided Matthew with a true sense of security, companionship, independence, and dignity. After seeing the transformative bond between Matthew and Patrick, I decided to volunteer as a raiser with GEB. I'm now in a position to help create a world that allows equal access to all persons with disabilities and I've taught my daughter to put the care of others before ourselves. The opportunity to raise a future guide dog creates an unbelievable sense of pride as they accomplish their goals, whether it's successfully teaching a puppy “down,” or when the puppy actually “graduates”. There is no greater gift than the gift of giving and raising awareness for those with vision disabilities.
Mindy Lipsey
Being a Puppy Raiser for Guiding Eyes for the Blind
The night before Helen left for IFT, I felt the lump in my throat. The feeling was a mixture of sadness and joy. Sure, I would miss Helen. But the joy Helen brought to my life out-weighted the sadness. Helen was a blessing – she even had angel wing markings on her back to prove it. Her speckled ears were so soft and beautiful and so comforting to pet. Helen loved everyone…her rear-end would wiggle like crazy whenever anyone would come over to the house. She wanted to be everyone’s best friend. Well, she certainly was my BFF this past year (pst…don’t tell my pet dog Riley).
Helen was a great companion. She pretty much followed me around all day – while I was on the toilet, in the shower, getting dressed, blow drying my hair, doing the laundry. When she wasn’t following me, Helen was following Riley around. I think Riley will be the only one in the house happy to see Helen go.
When quarantine happened, I had to share Helen with the other four people in the house. Helen became a study-buddy and pleasant distraction to my daughters. Helen loved doing yoga and workout videos with the girls. When she heard them filling up their Hydroflasks with ice, Helen would come running – she loved ice cubes! Helen loved getting up early with my husband and Riley while the rest of us slept in. Saturday was my morning with Helen to garden and investigate bugs together.
This morning after Zoom church, the five of us watched Helen’s IFT video. She did such a great job. I guess all those days vacuuming, blowing drying my hair in front of a fan, walking over ladders, and bug watching with Helen paid off. She will make a great mom or guide dog one day. Thank you GEB for trusting me with Helen this past year. Whatever her future holds, Helen will continue to be a blessing to everyone she meets.
I have been a volunteer puppy raiser for Guiding Eyes for the Blind for 4 years now and I’ve loved EVERY minute!
Raising puppies for Guiding Eyes for the Blind has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Each puppy I sit or raise takes a place in my heart, and they are so special to do the work they are trained to do. The staff and other volunteers at Guiding Eyes are a true community, and they’re always going above and beyond to help you. They give so much time and love to the cause, and I’m proud to work with them.
Guiding Eyes for the Blind is not only a phenomenal organization in what they do and the services they provide, but an amazing place to volunteer for and work with. I absolutely love puppy raising and have so much fun doing it and Guiding Eyes for the Blind has been so great about working with me to find a setup that accommodates my work schedule as a nurse and works for me. I am so grateful to them for the opportunity to continue doing something I love so much and I look forward to continuing to puppy raise for many years!
I have been a puppy sitter for Guiding Eyes for the Blind for 20 years. That means I have taken courses and been approved to have guide dogs in training come to my house when their volunteer puppy raisers go on vacation - or the dog needs a change of environment. I would not have been doing for 20 years if the organization was not wonderful. Love the people I meet through our local Baltimore Chapter -- and I just love the dogs. I especially enjoy meeting blind people who have been given/paired up with one of the Guiding Eyes dogs I helped with and to see in action the great work this non-profit does.
A wonderful organization that changes the lives of so many people. From the puppy raisers that get to spend quality time with these adorable puppies to the visually impaired people that benefit from the company of a first-rate guide dog. Everyone in the organization is so positive and helpful. Truly one of the best nonprofits I have seen.
I have been a volunteer puppy raiser with Guiding Eyes for the past 8 years and cannot say enough good things about this organization. It has truly been a life changing volunteer experience for me. I have learned so much and met so many amazing people, all while potentially providing a life changing guide dog to someone in need. They ALWAYS put the well-being, safety, and happiness of the dog and any potential graduates first.
I am also a donor and have seen first hand the impact my donations can have and how much they are valued by the organization. I donate with complete confidence and trust that my contributions are used to maximize the impact Guiding Eyes can have on the life of someone who is visually impaired.
Finding the opportunity to work with Guiding eyes for the blind while being a college student definitely has made me successful is many ways and opened a lot more for me! I have been a volunteer puppy raiser for about 2 and half years now and I have loved every second. I love the community that is involved with GEB, the amount of different people I have met is incredibly! I am raising my second puppy and we had an emergency occur this weekend and GEB worked quick to help us and access the problem. Guiding Eyes is a huge part of my life and I don’t know where I would be without them! Photos pictures are my two pups I have raised!
My GEB volunteer story began just one month ago. The last of my three dogs and one cat passed away during the summer, and I found myself missing the tail wagging, wet-nosed kisses, and unconditional love they had bestowed upon me day and night. I felt I could never go through losing another pet, but I just needed that connection. I volunteered at GEB to do some office work on their computers, not realizing that dogs were abound in the office. Not only did I get to see puppies at play, and newborns nursing, but also some of my office mates were four-legged...big, floppy, funny, loving dogs. How comforting it was to get that nuzzling fix of canine love once again. Now I realize I just might be able to love and accept the joy and eventual loss of another dog in my life. Oh, and the people are great too! It's nice to be around animal lovers who spend each day breeding and training beautiful, valuable companions for the visually-impaired. All this was going on just six miles from my home. Who knew?
For the past several years, Monday morning at 7 am has been my favortie time of the week. That's crazy-why? Most people hate Monday mornings! The reason for this is that it is when I report for my volunteer shift at the Guiding Eyes for the Blind Breeding Kennel. I am always greeted by enthusiatic wags from the dogs as I give them their breakfast. Then, along with the staff, we move them outside in order to clean their kennels. They come back in to clean quarters and that's when the real fun begins! The dogs get to go outside to a fenced area up a big hill that is several acres large. Here they can run and play with some of their kennel mates. No matter the season or weather, they always bound up the hill with enthusiasm. Some chase each other and play, others just prefer to walk and sniff all the amazing smells. I get such joy out of watching them delight in being in the moment. Cleaning kennels, feeding, and walking dogs may not seem glamorous (did I mention the poop bags??). However, I know that what I am doing is a small part in a much greater mission-to provide seeing eye dogs for the visually impaired. I feel so priveleged to ba a part of this organization!
I wear a couple of volunteer hats at GEB and one of them has been in the role of Early Socializer working with newborn puppies up to 5 weeks old before they move on to next steps with volunteer foster volunteers, then puppy raisers if selected for the guide dog training program. Words cannot express how rewarding it is to participate in the development of future guide dogs for the visually impaired. We are trained in very specific ways to expose the puppies to both physical and external stimuli at this very early, very critical stage of their development. We massage them as well as conduct play sessions with them and record behavioral observations. Yes, it’s loads of fun working with Labrador Retriever and German Shepherd puppies; however, it’s also two-hours per week of hard work well spent on behalf of GEB, their amazing dogs and the humans they will someday serve. When the pandemic finally releases us from hibernations, I recommend attending one of GEB’s monthly graduations at the Yorktown Heights location – a moving experience that guarantees to speak louder than words.
Almost 12 years ago I volunteered at Guiding Eyes Canine Development Center where 500 puppies are bred each year. Due to a physical disability, I am unable to work with puppies. Fortunately, the Guiding Eyes Genetics Department needed someone who was familiar with spreadsheets and medical terminology to enter health surveys into the files of both guide dogs and released dogs, as this data is used for making breeding decisions. I enter downloaded health surveys, and for some folks who are unable to enter their health survey into a computer, we call them to update the dog's record. My greatest joy is speaking with grads who love to tell us how their dog is doing. In addition to health data, I hear wonderful stories. For instance, one grad traveled with her husband from their home in the upper mid-west to Washington State, stopping at each Lyons Club along the way to say "thank you" for supporting Guiding Eyes. Another grad is in a travel Beep Baseball League and so enjoys playing. One grad, is an amazing woman who is not only legally blind but also deaf. She became a college professor, teaching sign language. So many grads and each with a different, wonderful story. In talking with people who have adopted released dogs, I discovered that so many have had their remarkable dogs subsequently trained as therapy dogs and I listen to stories of these dogs working in hospitals, pediatric departments, hospice centers, VA homes and hospitals, women's shelters, homeless shelters, etc. Every story is different. Every story is amazing, and it makes me love how I am using my retirement years. I work with three other volunteers who enter other data, and I am so pleased and proud to call these women new-found friends. In all these years, every staff member I have met truly treats volunteers as valued members of an important team. As a volunteer, I love the small part I have in an organization that goes so far in making the lives of others better.
GEB is an inspirational organization that I'm thrilled to be involved with! From a front-line client administrative role, 'puppy enrichment' (read playing!) & fostering guide dogs-in-training to public engagement there are so many roles I've been able to engage with in the 15 short months since I joined. If you have a skill set, there's an opportunity to put it to exceptionally good use alongside uniformly wonderful people who work with compassion, focus & enthusiasm to deliver these life-changing service dogs to those in need. Along my journey I have had the opportunity to talk to, & learn from, people with such different experiences of life, as well as more than I could possibly have imagined about the world of guide dogs. I can safely say I have used every skill & experience gained so far in my life & professional job roles & put them to such good use. It really is a privilege to work with an organization that truly values & supports its volunteers, without whom this non-profit could not deliver the services it does to its clients. If I could have chosen 10 stars, I would have!
My home foster dog Carver provides me with unconditional love and valuable companionship. It has eased the loneliness this Covid 19 pandemic has brought in. Also it is very rewarding to be able to help Guiding Eyes For The Blind. I look forward when I pick him up in the afternoons and we settle in our routine: I get him fed, have dinner go for a long walk and then cuddle to watch TV and all the stress of the day melts away. He is such a sweet dog, very playful and all the neighborhood kids love him. On the weekend we visit my niece & nephew who adore him. It is a great pleasure to watch them play. I include Carver in all my outdoor activities like, long walks in the park, play with the frisbee, go hiking and visit friends. I love my puppy he gives me a lot of joy!
My name is Tom Cote and I wanted to take a minute to tell you a little about my experience volunteering at the Guiding Eyes for the Blind Canine Development Center in Paterson NY. Actually, my association with the Guiding Eyes for the Blind started a long time ago at their annual walkathon in Yorktown Heights. I volunteered there every year helping the clients with their dogs after the walk at the picnic. That was one of the favorite days on my calendar every year. After that I volunteered doing puppy socialization in Paterson NY. I remember thinking who could have a better job than this, working with puppies. My job was to get them used to being in the real world like walking up stairs and getting used to unfamiliar noises. The people there used to say to me “thanks so much Tom for helping out”, but I remember thinking that I am the one benefiting from this and said to myself one day when I retire I really want to do this. I met a lot of great people in Paterson like Maria Lazzaro and Sarah Brunelle. So years later I was at a Guiding Eyes graduation and I bumped into Maria and asked her about volunteer work after I retire. She put me in touch with Ellen Mitchell who I had met when I got my company Priceline.com involved with doing puppy socialization at our office. Ellen said they would welcome me to volunteer. Shortly after that I did retire, and I ended up volunteering at the Canine Development Center in Paterson with the dogs in the breeding kennel. This had long been a dream of mine to work with the dogs after I retired and now it had come true. I was told that the work I was doing was critical to the organization’s efforts, but it gave me more than I could ever give back. It gave me a sense of purpose that every week I had a place to go and help a great organization like the Guiding Eyes for the Blind. I can’t describe the feeling you get when you attend a graduation ceremony there and you see how grateful the clients that receive a guide dog are and hear how their lives have completely changed due to the Guiding Eyes for the Blind. Volunteering there is an experience for me that is beyond explanation but I hope I have made you see just a little bit what it was like for me and if you are looking for a charity to support I couldn’t recommend one better than the Guiding Eyes for the Blind.
This is an amazing nonprofit. Their mission and work is extremely impactful. They provide the opportunity for visually impaired people to lead an independent life with a built in companion by their side. My uncle is visually impaired and has been fortunate to work with Guiding Eyes for the past 20 years.
Because of his guide dogs, my uncle is able to overcome challenges and participate in almost every normal activity that we so often take for granted.
Recently, I have been volunteering as a home foster to a guide dog in training. I care for the dog when she is not working, and it has been a wonderful experience. In this short time, the dog has brought so much happiness into my life, and I look forward to seeing her progress to a guide dog.
This nonprofit changes peoples' lives for the better, and I will continue to volunteer here for as long as I can!
We are a volunteer family who takes care of a brood from the Guiding Eye program. Guiding Eyes for the Blind is a wonderful organization to work with. They take very good care of their dogs and are very easy to work with. The work we do with them is very rewarding. Thanks.
I started as a puppy raiser at Guiding Eyes in 1991. Ten years ago I fostered an extraordinary brood. After she had her first litter, I began volunteering in the Whelping kennel. There’s nothing like holding a tiny puppy in your hand and thinking that one day that puppy might become a guide dog! I started puppy raising again when my brood had her second litter and I raised one of her puppies. As a volunteer at Guiding Eyes, I have made many new friends over the years.
Guiding Eyes for the Blind has provided me with the opportunity to not only have an impact on others lives, but to find a sense of purpose as well. Whether it's working in the office doing data entry, participating in puppy enrichment, or welcoming a pair of puppies into our home to help socialize them, I know we are working to make a difference in someone's life. Playing a part, no matter how small, in helping the puppies on their journey to become guide dogs is one of the most rewarding experiences I've had. Guiding Eyes truly changes people's lives by providing guide dogs to the visually impaired, and being a part of that community has been incredibly rewarding.
If you have children, best experience ever! What better way to promote pay it forward then to foster a dog that goes on to whelp amazing more dogs to service an industry that sadly sometimes gets overlooked. This is my second round fostering a brood for the Guiding Eyes and I came back because my heart just wells up knowing my dog could provide pups that go on to assist someone that otherwise wouldn’t have the ability to cross a street, board a bus or just give love unconditionally. My children, now grown, lived an experience that there is a world beyond their front door. I speak the praises daily of the GEB and do my best to recruit other families to open their hearts and be a part of a bigger community. Monica Rush
I have been volunteering for Guiding Eyes for the Blind for 20 years, yes, 20years! I am a brood foster, which means I take care of a female breeding dog. Her puppies grow up and train to be guide dogs. It's the people and the dogs that make our organization so special to me. Nothing is done half assed (!) here. I love this organization and it's a huge part of my life.
Living in Yorktown Hgts I’ve always been interested in following GEB. Now that I’ve retired from my full time nursing job I’ve been able to actively volunteer! I’ve been doing Home Litter Care for the past two years and what could be better than a bucket of puppies? They come into my home as tiny bundles of fur and leave as confident loving pups ready to move on to follow their destiny, some as guide dogs others as beloved family members!
I’m now a very happy foster momma to a brood named Dior! She is full of love and energy and she has stolen my heart!
Being part of the GEB family has been and continues to be a wonderful experience!
Life Is Good and full of love and kindness!
Just ask a DOG
I have been a volunteer foster for 2 broods for Guiding Eyes for the Blind for the past 5 years. It has been a wonderful experience for both me and my family to be involved with the fabulous GEB community in helping to provide service dogs for those in need. I would highly recommend volunteering for this great organization.
We have fostered three beautiful broods from Guiding Eyes for the Blind over the last 16 years. I can honestly say it has been one of the greatest joys of my life. Being part of GEB community is soul filling. It’s wonderful to be part of a community that is changing people’s lives for the better. Hats off to Guiding Eyes for the Blind for all that they do!
We are a new foster family for a Guiding Eyes for the Blind stud dog . We were very eager to do this for an amazing organization . GEB is very supportive through the process of fostering . The work they do is absolutely amazing. The fact that they change so many lives and give a new level of independence to the sight impaired owner is so inspiring .
Volunteering for GEB has been one of the greatest pleasures of my life!
With a journalist background, I began by meeting clients (students), and interviewing them for their graduation bios. The range of stories and circumstances was amazing, and I learned a great deal about the vast and varied clientele we serve.
Soon thereafter, I began working at the Breeding Kennel (BK). There I was partnered with a highly seasoned volunteer--Robert Hart--who showed me all the ropes and turned out to be a fantastic mentor and co-worker. Speaking of which, not only are the dogs--black Labs, yellow Labs, German Shepherds--a delight to feed, to walk, to attend to in every way, but the staff are also incredible. Each and every individual is devoted to GEB and gives his or her all.
My commitment to GEB is deep and heartfelt, and I long for the day when Covid-19 recedes and we are able to be back on the job.
In closing, I should add that my first exposure to GEB was via my beloved black Lab, Soonia, who was a GEB "released puppy" and who became our family dog for a blessed twelve years. With her incredible genetic background, she had the most beautiful disposition one could ever ask for. We miss her more than I can say.
P.S. I have volunteered for many, many decades--starting in high school, and through many decades of working life pre-retirement...at major NYC and Westchester Cty. hospitals, for example...but nowhere have I felt the total fulfillment that I feel working for GEB. Its mission and its outreach are, to me, commendable beyond measure.
I often wondered what it would be like to foster a guide dog in training. It was a huge surprise when Guiding Eyes for the Blind (GEB), started the Home Foster program so I signed up right away. This program has guide dogs in training spend the evenings and weekends with fosters until they're placed with a visually impaired person.
I'm already fostering one of their breeding females and thought this new experience would be a win win for all of us . . . I was right. I was assigned a tall, leggy, female yellow Lab named Bea. She wasn't your typical happy-go- lucky Lab with an incessantly wagging tail, but a reserved and unassuming one. I didn't know what to expect and yet I wasn't surprised that she had great house manners, was very disciplined, calm, responsive and predictable. I appreciated all these qualities which made life easy and enjoyable for all of us. It wasn't until several weeks passed that Bea displayed some of her guide dog training behavior; going to my left side when we entered/exited the door, pausing at the curb, always following me around the house and sitting by my feet while I watched TV, etc.. It was very endearing watching her and thinking about how essential this behavior will benefit her visually impaired person.
Last week she left for Colorado, after passing her guide dog evaluations, to be paired with a client. I was left with a sense of pride and gratitude for having added something, as much as anyone could in a short two months, to her life experiences. The dogs in GEB's Home Foster program are my heroes and I feel honored to be part of it.
We started in the home socialization program for puppies as we weren't sure our busy family was ready for the responsibilities of a full-time pet. The program has changed our lives! Now we are foster parents for a breeding female, and we continue to do the home puppy socialization as well. It's a true win/win as the dogs get the benefit of the home experience, and we get puppies and one of the best behaved breeding female labs. We fully intend to adopt her when she retires, and we can't imagine our lives without this amazing non-profit organization.
Wonderful group of people who care so much about the well-bring of these beautiful animals, and goes out of their way to pair these creatures with the correct person. We have volunteered with them for over four years now, and have been so impressed with the caliber of their work.
We are fosters to a first time brood, Roz. My 8 year old daughter wrote this for a school assignment. Having Roz obviously means a lot to us and its a wonderful program to be apart of.
This weekend I took my dog, Roz to her ultrasound. My sister and I waited for my dad in the car. When my dad got in the car we were ready to go. Roz was sitting on the floor of the car wagging her tail. I think Roz knew something was happening! It was a long drive to the Guiding Eyes for the Blind. Oh, and did I tell you that Roz's puppies will help blind people? When we got to the Guiding Eyes, I hopped out of the car and ran to catch up to my dad with Roz. We rang the doorbell and a woman came out and said she would take Roz for about fifteen to twenty minutes. We waited and waited and waited. Then finally the woman came out again with Roz. The woman said that Roz was pregnant! YAY! They said that they are expecting Roz to have six to seven puppies! Roz is not just a plain dog, she is a dog with a purpose who is going to help people in need. I am so proud that Roz is our dog!
We were given the amazing opportunity to foster from the Guiding Eyes, due to COVID. Once they had reached out and decided on finding volunteers to foster, we couldn't say no. The process of fostering has been so amazing. The staff has been so friendly and kind. He is part of our family, but we know he will be going to someone who is in need. The training that these Guide dogs have is incredible. The trainers at the Guiding Eyes have trained these dogs better then i've ever seen before. They teach them so much about loving and being so well behaved in and out of training. Being able to foster especially during COVID has brought such happy times into our home. We are so grateful for the Guiding Eyes to open up there doors to people in the area. We will continue to help and volunteer for the Guiding Eyes for as long as we can!
I started volunteering with Guiding Eyes 4 years ago working as an Early Socializer and then also as a Home Socializer. I look forward to my time spent at the Breeding kennel massaging the new puppies and then working with them in the early socialization room. I love to see how the puppies develop each week and adapt to all kinds of new sounds, toys, under footings, and situations. I also love the opportunity to take 2 puppies home at a time and expose them to new surroundings, people, activities, as well as start house training them and teaching them basic commands. It is rewarding knowing that someday these puppies will change the life for a visually impaired person. I love being able to care for the puppies, snuggle, and love them in hopes that they will go on to accomplish great things as a Guiding Eyes For the Blind guide dog. The people that work at Guiding Eyes are truly amazing and their passion shines through in every day. It’s a great joy to volunteer with Guiding Eyes for the Blind!
My family and I have been involved with Guiding Eyes for the Blind for almost 20 years, in many different aspects. Our most favorite has been fostering in the Brood Stud department. These dogs have such special jobs, it is an honor to be involved in their mission, in any way possible! Plus, the added bonus of puppy kisses and snuggles doesn’t hurt!
I have found community in Guiding Eyes for the Blind! As a four time puppy raiser and a brood foster, I have met so many people up and down the East Coast, who I now consider friends. Not only do I feel an immense sense of belonging but the physical hours and emotional investment that volunteers provide brings independence through guide dogs (for free) to those with visual impairment. It's a win/win.
Volunteering at Guiding Eyes for the Blind is a wonderful experience.
As a 14 year old, it gave me the opportunity to learn the responsibility of raising and training a dog that would bring so much support and joy to someone for many years. Now in my retirement years, I get to socialize and play with the smartest and
cutest puppies which continues to give me a purpose knowing it's for such a
good cause. Thank you Guiding Eyes for all that you do. Ann
There is a desperate need for these service dogs to help any folks that need them to regain some feeling of freedom. Some Independence is so important to their self-esteem again in this world, especially our vets, those who have lost their eyesight due to an illness or injury, this is a life raft back to the world!!
I have used the services of Guiding Eyes for almost 40 years, and have been impressed by the care and concern given to each team that the school trains.
Since Guiding Eyes has one major mission, that of training blind people and guide dogs to be the best they can be, as with any non-profit, resources and goals have to be targeted which fortunately they are.
I very much appreciate the 5 guide dogs I've received from them, and appreciate that the goal of all the staff is to make our work the best it can be and they provide the appropriate follow-up to make sure it's so.
Review from Guidestar
Guiding Ryes is not just an organization, its a family. A family who nurtures the confidence and independence to its blind, Visually Impaired and deaf/blind graduates. A family who continues to care throughout our entire journey with our guides and even through the transition from retired Guide to its successor. GEB staff and volunteers changed my life 13 years ago and continue to make a difference in my life each and every day.
Review from Guidestar
I've been a volunteer at Guiding Eyes for about 5 years now. Back in 2013, I didn't know much about Guiding Eyes for the Blind, but after retiring from my job at a school district, I wanted to do volunteer work and remembered this organization that had been in my local area for as long as I remembered, so I gave them a try. What I found was a wonderful environment with very professional and compassionate people who seemed genuinely dedicated to the goal of their organization, which is matching guide dogs with people who need them. And I was amazed to learn that this is at no cost at all to the people they help! But I think most of all, I witnessed firsthand their training staff working with their dogs and their visually impaired students, and I am in awe of the kindness, respect and talent they employ in dealing with both dog and student. This certainly seems like a worthwhile organization to me.
Review from Guidestar
Guiding Eyes used to be a wonderful, caring organization, built on the shoulders of volunteers, a caring staff and wonderful dogs! All that is still true, except for a new CEO, 2 yrs ago, who seems to view it as a money maker, a vehicle for his own ego driving agenda of Running Guides, a program that will certainly shorten a guide dog's career, and is not in the best interest of these dogs. Many students are currently being given long wait times to get into class, and MANY more are now turning to different schools, due to the iron fisted administration. They cut the Heeling Autism program, which had a 100% success rate and was a great career choice for dogs who were too *soft* to become guides. The CEO has fired staff who do not agree with him, and MANY staff have left to go to other service dog organizations because they could not stay in that work environment.
I used to donate quite a bit each year. Until the administration changes, I will find more reputable organizations to donate to. And hope and pray that the 5 star GEB that I used to volunteer with can find itself again.
I was the lucky recipient of a Guiding Eyes dog. Guiding Eyes is a wonderful organization! They really care for their graduates!
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This is an Awesome organization! That helps people like me who have physical disabilities with the best guide dogs in the world! I would recommend this Non Profit to anyone who is visually impaired or blind in need of a guide dog. They will never forget there experience!
My husband and I are puppy raisers for Guiding Eyes for the Blind (GEB). We are currently raising our third puppy who will return to Guiding Eyes for her formal training after we have raised her for about a year and a half. How, you are now asking, can we possibly say goodbye to an adorable puppy with whom we have jumped in snow drifts, gone swimming, cuddled, hiked, and simply loved to pieces for so long?? The answer is because Guiding Eyes dogs are bred and raised and trained for the purpose of being that pair of knowing eyes that opens the world to a vision-impaired person. I think about being blind all the time. How does a blind person shop? Pick clothes to wear in the morning? Find the set of keys that is always misplaced? While a guide dog might not be able to help with those things, it CAN safely guide a blind person from place to place and is a priceless, loving companion. Guiding Eyes for the Blind has graduated more than 7,000 guide dog teams since it was founded in 1954. Most remarkably, the blind applicant who is teamed with a GEB dog pays nothing for the dog (mostly labrador retrievers) or the professional training and follow-up support services. Rather Guiding Eyes for the Blind, a not for profit organization, depends completely on contributions to fulfill its mission. I am proud to be a puppy raiser for Guiding Eyes. Although I know we will cry when the day comes to say goodbye to our puppy, we will be SO proud when we see her at graduation with her new partner, a blind man or woman. And of course we will eagerly take another puppy and start all over again. Guiding Eyes for the Blind is beyond a doubt one of the best non-profit organizations EVER.
Excellent organization., wonderful cause, devoted volunteers/professionals. I have been a puppy socilaizer/home trainer for quite some time and my whole family is very dedicated and adores the puppies and takes the work very seriously. However, a couple of women in Patterson have become quite the female dogs themselves. Condescending statements, cold attitude and arrogance have no place, particularly when dealing with people who are sacrificing a great deal on their behalf and that of others. There is little to no recognition of early socialization/training volunteers at graduations or elsewhere. We never get a word of thanks, it is bizarre and disheartening. My family is mystified at how they can be this way. Most are wonderful, but a couple rotten apples. I would have rated with 5 stars, were it not for this unconscionable display of arrogance and condescension which has changed everything for us.
Review from CharityNavigator
I just finished raising my first puppy through Guiding Eyes for the Blind. She is such an amazing dog and I am so grateful to have had her in my life. Guiding Eyes is an amazing organization that cares so much for its dogs and its volunteers. They are changing lives everyday and being a part of this organization has certainly changed mine.
The integrity behind the scenes of Guiding Eyes for the Blind is incredible. From top to bottom, Guiding Eyes for the Blind is all about helping to get a well-matched, artfully raised and trained guide dog to a person who needs one, without the recipient having to go through any more expense or trouble than they already have. Every staff member, every volunteer, and every puppy raiser are committed to, and genuine in, the efforts. I want to be a puppy raiser for Guiding Eyes for the Blind!
I volunteer at the Canine Development Center. I get to play with puppies. The great thing about it is I'm doing something that I really enjoy, but its also an important first step in these dogs lives.
I also foster dogs when they are waiting to be matched with their person. I don't do much... reinforce house manners, expose them to little things they may have never seen before, teach them to snuggle... I don't think I have ever experienced something so redeeming or incredible in my life as watching a dog that I have worked with graduate and change a person's life. In some little way, I make a difference in people's lives and its an amazing feeling.