Guide Dog Program Student Admissions
Below you will find the most frequently asked questions
that we get at The Puppy Place about what the criteria is to obtain a guide dog
for a blind person or a family member that is blind. Please note that these
questions and answers are of a general nature only and do not reflect all the
guide dog schools policies.
If you wish to obtain a guide dog from one of the
schools, then please visit our Guide Dog Schools
pages.
Q: How long must an applicant wait after applying,
before he or she will be enrolled in a class for training?
A: Processing of an applicant for a guide dog (i.e. home
interview, agency and personal references, medical report) usually requires 4-6
weeks to accomplish. Placement in class following final acceptance by the
Selection Committee, may take as long as 4-6 months. Graduates, who are
returning to train with another dog are given priority, as such replacement is
vital to them in order to continue with their lifestyle. Classes are usually
limited to 10-20 students.
A: The majority of guide dog schools will consider for training any legally
blind adult who can use a guide dog safely and effectively, but the minimum age
with most schools is sixteen. Usually there is no upper age limit.
Q: Do guide dog users receive ownership of their dog?
A: With most schools, the answer is yes. Usually upon successful completion
of the required training program, the student is given title and ownership to
the guide dog. Each new owner agrees to treat his or her dog with kindness, to
feed and shelter it, and to provide veterinary care.
Q: Must a person be totally blind to receive a guide dog or can they
have some vision?
A: No, individuals with severe visual impairment may receive a guide dog.
Many forms of visual impairment allow the person to see some light or some of
their field of vision, but they are considered legally blind. A person must be
legally blind to be eligible for our program. The definition of legal blindness
is "central visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with the use
of a correcting lens, or an eye which is accompanied by a limitation in the
fields of vision such that the widest diameter of the visual field subtends an
angle no greater than 20 degrees".
Q: How long does a person stay at the school to train and receive
instructions with their new guide dog?
A: The normal period for first time guide dog users is a full 28 days.
Individuals receiving their second guide dog from after their first dog retires
can stay for the full 28 days or leave after 21 days if they are ready. This
policy varies from school to school, so be sure to check first.
Q: What is the average working life of a guide dog?
A: Guide dogs are normally about 18 - 24 months old when they go to their
owners and should have about 8 to 10 working years ahead of them.
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