ABOUT US:
Mission and President's Statement
Programs and Services
History
Location
Financial Information
Funding
I.A.M.A.W.
Privacy Policy
About Us F.A.Q
OUR MISSION: Guide Dogs of America is dedicated to its mission to provide guide dogs and instruction in their use, free of charge, to blind and visually impaired men and women from the United States and Canada so that they may continue to pursue their goals with increased mobility and independence.
PRESIDENT'S STATEMENT: March 2000 marked my one year anniversary as President of Guide Dogs
of America. It has been an exciting year in which I have continued to grow and learn with this wonderful organization. I want to thank the Board of Directors, the I.G.E. Foundation, the staff, our volunteers, and the many people who support Guide Dogs of America with their time and donations. You have all contributed to making this an amazing first year. Your love and commitment to this school changes the lives of so many people. I am proud to be here and to work with you.
With your help, I know we will continue to successfully fulfill our mission, providing guide dogs to blind and visually impaired men and women who want to live more independently.
Thanks for a wonderful, first year!
Jay A. Bormann, President/Director
PROGRAMS AND SERVICES: Guide Dogs of America has three main programs:
The Breeding Program
The Puppy Raising Program
The Guide Dog Program
We also provide advocacy services and follow-up free of charge for our graduates.
A third service we provide is public education through our web site, tour and speaker programs, and by providing information upon request to help educate business or individuals about access laws and guide dogs.
Free tours of our facility are given Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. A reservation is required. In our Speakers Program we bring our story on video and in person to your group or organization through a volunteer speaker.
Breeding Program:
Guide Dogs of America breeds our own guide dogs to provide the best quality dog possible for our blind and visually impaired guide dog recipients.
Puppy Raising Program:
Our puppies are placed with volunteer Puppy Raisers to learn basic obedience, to be socialized, and to receive lots of love. Puppies remain in these foster homes until they are about 22 months old and are called In-For-Training.
Guide Dog Program:
TRAINING AND BREEDING: Our professional trainers provide the guide dog TRAINING AND BREEDING and matching of the dogs with their new guide dog partner.
ADMISSIONS: Qualified blind and visually impaired applicants go through a thorough and careful evaluation in the admission process when applying to receive a guide dog.
GRADUATE SERVICES: After our graduates leave our class with their new dog guide partner, they continue to receive follow-up care and support through Graduate Services.
OUR HISTORY: Guide Dogs of America was founded over 50 years ago by Joseph Jones, Sr. with the help of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers I.A.M.A.W. or I.A.M.)
Joseph Jones, Sr., was a retired member of the I.A.M.A.W.
When Mr. Jones became blind, he considered all his options and decided his mobility needs would best be met by using a guide dog. He applied to all the existing schools, but he was declined because of his "advanced age". He was only 57 years old.
Mr. Jones was a determined man and "no" was not a word in his vocabulary. He turned to the I.A.M. for help, soliciting assistance from the I.A.M.'s Executive Council. The I.A.M. Executive council conducted extensive research, determined there was a growing need for guide dog services, and therefore endorsed the founding of International Guiding Eyes (I.G.E.) In 1948. The I.A.M.A.W. continues to be a generous supporter and staunch advocate of the school's mission today.
I.G.E. was one of the first guide dog schools to be founded by a blind individual. It was also one of the first schools to adopt a policy of no upper age discrimination.
In 1992, International Guiding Eyes changed their "doing-business-as" name to Guide Dogs of America in an effort to communicate more clearly the services provided by the organization. Now the organization operates under the name Guide Dogs of America as an International Guiding Eyes Program. Today Guide Dogs of America seeks new and better ways of helping the blind community.
LOCATION: Guide Dogs of America is located on 7 ½ acres in sunny Sylmar, California in the northeastern San Fernando Valley, about 25 miles from the city of Los Angeles.
There are two main roads you can take to get to Guide Dogs of America:
The I-5
Take the Roxford exit. (If coming from North I-5 turn left onto Roxford Street at the end of the off-ramp, if coming from South I-5 turn right onto Roxford Street at the end of the off-ramp). Proceed down Roxford to Glenoaks Boulevard. There is a traffic light at this intersection. Take a right onto Glenoaks. Guide Dogs of America is about a half a block down Glenoaks on the right-hand side.
The 210
If you are coming from the 210 take the Roxford exit. (If coming from East I-210 freeway (towards PASADENA) turn right onto Roxford Street at the end of the off-ramp. If coming from West 210 turn left onto Roxford Street at the end of the off-ramp and go under the freeway). Proceed down Roxford to Glenoaks Boulevard. There is a traffic light at this intersection. Take a left onto Glenoaks. Guide Dogs of America is about a half a block down Glenoaks on the right-hand side.
If you want more customized driving direction, you may want to visit
www.mapquest.com.
If you need further assistance, contact us by phone at (818) 362-5834 or by email at
FINANCIAL INFORMATION: Guide Dogs of America is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
We allocate 90.8% of all our funds to Program Services, 6.9% for Administrative Costs, and only 2.3% for Fundraising (figures based on the 1998-99 fiscal year).
We do not charge guide dog recipients or their families any fees for our services, which include: a guide dog and instruction in their use from our professionally licensed trainers, room and board at our campus for the 28 day instruction period, a specially designed harness, follow-up care, vet care from our facilities and travel expenses when requested.
With the increased independence, mobility, and confidence a guide dog provides, blind individuals are better able to compete in the work force, participate in community activities and travel.
FUNDING: Guide Dogs of America does not receive any funding from the Federal, State, or Local Government.
We rely solely upon donations from individuals, corporations, foundations, chapters and clubs.
Individuals and Organizations often contribute through Direct Mails, Special Events, and Grants. Federal Employees often choose to support our program through the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC), State Employees donate to their State Employees Charitable Campaigns (SECC), and other employees donate by way of designating Guide Dogs of America on their United Way Contributions forms or their special workplace giving campaigns.
If you would like more information on donating your time or money to continue providing guide dogs to blind and visually impaired individuals, visit our Ways You Can Help page.
I.A.M.A.W: The International Association of Machinist and Aerospace Workers, the I.A.M.A.W., is a large union that is active in more than 200 basic industries as defined by the U.S. Department of Labor. It maintains one or more agreements with almost every major employer in the U.S.A. and Canada.
Goals of the I.A.M.A.W. include: raising wage rates to correspond with the rising costs of living, ensuring equal pay for equal work regardless of sex, race, or national origin, providing a safe and healthy workplace, and securing benefits such as paid sick leave, medical coverage, and retirement/pension funds.
The I.A.M.A.W. is a strong supporter of Guide Dogs of America and is proud of their role in the founding of our school. We offer our special thanks to the I.A.M.A.W. for their part in founding our organization and for their continued generosity and dedication since 1948.
If you would like more information about the I.A.M.A.W., visit their web site at www.iamaw.org.
PRIVACY POLICY: Guide Dogs of America does not sell or rent any constituent information, to any group, for any purpose.
Further, all information you provide, including your donor history, is kept strictly confidential. Access to constituent information is limited to specific authorized personnel only.
If you have any questions or concerns, simply e-mail us at .
ABOUT US FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Q. When was the school established?
Q. What is the cost of providing a guide dog?
Q. How much does it cost to get a guide dog?
Q. Does the school get financial assistance from the government?
Q. Does the school examine the conditions in which the guide dog lives and works?
Q. What happens to the dogs that are removed from the program?
Q. Are your trainers licensed?
Q. Can the public visit Guide Dogs of America?
Q: When was the school established?
A: The school was founded in 1948 when a blind individual named Joseph Jones asked the I.A.M.A.W. for help in getting a guide dog because all of the other schools refused to provide him with a guide dog because of his "upper age". He was only 57. In response to his request, the I.A.M.A.W. helped him found one of the first Guide Dog Schools without an upper age limit.
Q: What is the cost of providing a guide dog?
A: Approximately $38,000 or more, which includes the cost of training the dog and providing instruction for the guide dog user.
Q: How much does it cost to get a guide dog?
A: Nothing. We provide our guide dogs free of charge to blind and visually impaired men and women.
Q: Does the school get financial assistance from the government?
A: We receive no State or Federal money; we rely solely upon voluntary contributions.
Q: Does the school examine the conditions in which the guide dog lives and
works?
A: Yes. Guide Dogs of America examines the the working and living conditions that take place before the blind applicant is accepted to receive a guide dog in our program. Trainers are able to determine any changes and reassess home area and working conditions during follow-up visits.
Q: What happens to the dogs that are removed from the program?
A: To be a successful guide dog, many factors including health and willingness to work come into play. If a dog in our program does not meet all the proper criteria necessary to be a guide dog, they must be removed from the program.
Both Retired Guide Dogs and Career Change Dogs (dogs removed from the guide dog program due to problems with their health, temperament or other factors) are eligible to be offered for
adoption.
There is a 4-6 year waiting list to adopt Career Change Dogs and Retired Guide Dogs. The priority is given to individuals who have supported G.D.A. by volunteering time or financial resources- such as donations.
If you are interested in being put on the waiting list, send the request in writing, to Guide Dogs of America, ATTENTION: "Adoptions", along with a self addressed envelope. We ask for a donation of $300 or more when you adopt a dog.
Q: Are your trainers licensed?
A: Yes! In the state of California, Guide Dog Instructors are required by law to be licensed by the California State Board of Guide Dogs for the Blind. Instructors must complete a 3 year apprenticeship under a licensed instructor at a certified guide dog school. This program of instruction was formulated in compliance with the California State Guide Dog Act, from California administrative code, title 16, chapter 22, article 2, section 2266. Upon completing the apprenticeship, one is eligible to take a written, practical, or oral exam to obtain a license per the California State Board of Guide Dogs. California is one of the only states to have a Guide Dog Instructor license requirement.
Q: Can the public visit Guide Dogs of America?
A: Yes! Tours of our facility are given Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. by appointment only. We also have a Speaker's Program where you may request a volunteer speaker to come to visit with your group. Please call Rhonda at 818-833-6432 Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Pacific Time to make a tour or Speaker appointment.