Exciting New Merger Announced for 2020

Guide Dogs of America and Tender Loving Canines Assistance Dogs  (TLCAD) today announced the merger of their organizations. This merger will combine their respective service dog programs into a single organization to be operated under the Guide Dogs of America umbrella. The merger is effective immediately.

Founded in 1948, Guide Dogs of America empowers people who are blind and visually impaired to live with greater independence, confidence and mobility by providing expertly matched guide dog partners. TLCAD provides the gift of independence to veterans and individuals with autism by providing highly skilled service dogs. TLCAD also pairs facility dogs with professionals that serve populations who benefit from animal assisted intervention or therapy, and operates a prison-based dog-training program.

“TLCAD shares our goal to transform the lives of people through partnerships with highly trained assistance dogs,” said Russell Gittlen, president of Guide Dogs of America.  “This merger will allow us to put more dogs into the hands of people that need them — which is our ultimate mission.”

“TLCAD is very excited to be joining the Guide Dogs of America family and we look forward to the new opportunities our combined efforts bring to those in need of service dogs,” said Victoria Cavaliere, Executive Director of TLCAD.

Headquartered in Sylmar, California

The newly formed organization will be headquartered in Sylmar, California, on Guide Dogs of America’s 7.5-acre campus.  TLCAD will retain its name and local offices in San Diego, California. All programs and services are provided at no cost to the recipients, and will be offered to individuals throughout the United States and Canada. guidedogsofamerica.org