A Guiding Eyes guide dog will help you gain the independence, confidence and freedom you need to experience all of life’s adventures.
We are delighted that you are considering joining the Guiding Eyes family by applying for a guide dog. Our graduates will tell you that we take great care to pair the right guide dog with the right student. Finding an ideally matched dog for you is based on a deep understanding of your lifestyle and we design our training programs around your individual needs. It’s an art and a science. Please review the eligibility requirements below to help ensure that Guiding Eyes is right for you.
In order to apply for a Guiding Eyes guide dog, you must meet the following criteria:
If you are eligible, please proceed to the Application Form below. Not sure if you are eligible? Have further questions? We are here to support you every step of the way. Contact the Admissions Department at:
Ph: 888-987-2188, (option 1)
Fax: 914-243-2232
Your thorough completion of this application will help us determine if a Guiding Eyes guide dog is the right choice for you and how we can best work with you to achieve your goals.
A linked button to the online application can be found below. Once your completed application is received, the Admissions Department will contact you to review your application and answer any questions you may have about the process. Wait time can vary depending on a variety of factors. Please contact the Admissions Department to discuss further.
If you have any difficulty completing the application or accessing the printable forms, please contact the Admissions Department by calling 888-987-2188, (option 1) or emailing admissions@guidingeyes.org.
As part of the application process, you will receive an email which includes an attachment or link to the Release of Information form. If a paper application is requested, the Release of Information form will be included in the paperwork received. This form allows Guiding Eyes to contact your references, including medical doctors, Orientation & Mobility Instructor, a previous guide dog school, if applicable, or other professionals for supporting information we might need. Please note: We cannot process your application without receiving the signed Release of Information Form. If we don’t receive the signed form within 3 weeks of receiving your application, your file will become inactive and no further action will be taken on it.
Guiding Eyes may conduct criminal background checks on applicants. Contact the Admissions Department if you would like to provide us with background information that will assist in these areas. Any information collected during the application process will be kept confidential.
The medical form must be completed and signed by your primary care physician and should be faxed, mailed, or e-mailed directly to Guiding Eyes. Our Nursing Team will reach out to go over any questions or request additional medical information. Please note that your medical exam must have occurred within the last 6 months. If you have not had a recent exam, please let our Nursing Team know when you anticipate having your next full physical exam. We also ask that you try to get your medical form to us within three months of submitting an application so that your wait time is not impacted. Additionally, please submit a signed copy of the Release of Medical Information form.
The vision assessment form should be completed by your eye doctor and should be faxed, mailed, or e-mailed directly to Guiding Eyes. If you do not currently have an eye doctor, please contact Admissions to discuss alternative means of providing your proof of legal blindness. We ask that you try to get your vision form to us within three months of submitting an application so that your wait time is not impacted. Please note that you do not need to complete the vision form if you are a graduate of Guiding Eyes, unless you have had significant changes to your vision since you last trained with us.
Once your application is received, a member of our field representative staff will contact you to schedule an in-person interview with you at your home. This interview allows us to get to know you better, understand your needs for a guide dog, and give you the opportunity to ask questions and learn as much as you can about our training program.
During this process, the representative will also be gathering information that will eventually help us match you to a guide dog. With your permission, the representative will take video of you during the interview process.
A completed application includes the signed release, medical report, vision report if applicable, references, home interview, and any other supporting documents and materials. Once we receive your completed application, our Admissions Committee will review it and inform you of the decision, either by phone call letting you know that you have been approved or by letter stating the reasons for the denial of your application.
You have the right to appeal the decision of the Admissions Committee if you feel it is unfair based on incomplete information or misinformation. If you wish to appeal the Admissions Committee decision, please notify the Admissions Department in writing that you disagree with the Committee’s decision, stating the reason for your disagreement along with supporting evidence. This can be mailed or e-mail to us. This letter, along with your file, will be considered by the Committee, and you will be contacted as soon as a final decision is made.
Visit Agencies Serving the Blind for additional information and support.
Guiding Eyes for the Blind is approved by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501 (C) (3) tax-exempt organization, and all donations are tax deductible to the extent provided by law.
Guiding Eyes for the Blind Federal Identification Number (EIN) is 13-1854606.
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