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Anna Garzya pictured with her yellow lab Guide Dog, Argent

Perspectives on Partnership

We love our dogs for many reasons—they're confidants, walking partners, and companions. But what if your life depended on a dog every single day? This is what it means for a person to have a Guide Dog. It may be the best example yet of the reciprocal relationship between humans and dogs. Guide Dogs for the Blind provides a place for Guide Dogs and blind people to come together in the presence of top trainers and dedicated volunteers.

Anna and Argent

Her dazzling smile lights up the room now, but not too long ago Anna Garzya was ready to give up. "I had recently moved to Southern California from Mexico. Living in a new country, and not being able to speak English well was bad enough. But I was also going blind." Retinitis pigmentosa left her almost completely blind at night, and with severe tunnel vision in daylight.

"I was struggling along with my cane, bumping into walls and people. I would drift off the sidewalk sometimes. I even fell down the stairs one day at school." One day, she got her first glimpse of people with vision loss using guide dogs. "They were moving around so easily and so fast. I said to myself, 'I need to get a guide dog.'"

What We Do

We create a profound partnership between person and dog - and help to unleash the potential in both of them. But it doesn't happen by accident. It takes preparation, a world class training program, and support through life's challenges. Read more about our mission and vision.

Apply Now

Apply for a Guide Dog at our school, at no cost to you.

What makes GDB different?

What's New

Join Us for Graduation

Our graduation ceremonies, featuring brand new Guide Dog teams completing a month-long training program, are open to the public. Join us for graduation on November 8 in California, or on November 15 in Oregon.

The Guide Dog Visa Card

Photo of a Guide Dog in his harness pictured on a VISA card Sign up and Guide Dogs will receive $50 for each new account. Learn more here.

GDB's Blog

Read our blog to get the latest in happenings at GDB.

A man and his Guide Dog sit beside a pond Watch our Soul Mates video and find out more about what inspires us.

Harnessing Potential

A vet tech from Guide Dogs' vet clinic holds a small puppy. It takes the help of volunteers, top veterinarians and trainers to develop a qualified Guide Dog. It takes preparation on the part of the blind person, too.

Learn about how people and dogs can prepare for a lifelong partnership.

Training Teams

Graduate Caitlin Hernandez works her black Lab Guide Dog. Our class training program begins with finding the perfect match between dog and student. Together they learn to work as a team in real-life situations.