Dog Guides

The organization provides services for people with disabilities age 18 and older in Los Angeles. Services include dog guides. The agency trains and provides guide dogs for people who are legally blind to increase their mobility and independence. The dogs are trained to observe traffic, lead the person around obstacles, stop at all curbs and disobey commands that would endanger the person's safety. In addition, the organization provides a 21 day residential program which prepares the recipient and the dog to work together. The training period for people who have previously had guide dogs may be shorter than for new recipients. There are no geographic restrictions.

The agency also offers speakers and film presentations for community groups as well as tours of the facility to reduce misconceptions about people who are blind or who have other disabilities.

The organization accepts donations of suitable puppies like Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers which come from specified lines, and coordinates a network of people who volunteer to raise the puppies to a certain age and then release them to the organization. Monthly meetings are held for these "puppy raisers" as are classes for the puppies.