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Graduate Funds

Graduate Assistance Fund

Guiding Eyes for the Blind graduates are eligible for $600 (subject to change yearly) each calendar year through our Graduate Assistance Fund to help off-set the cost of veterinary care for working guide dogs. The fund is designated for expenses directly related to veterinary care only.
Examples include, but are not limited to:
  • Vaccines
  • Nail trims
  • Medications/Preventatives
  • Lab tests
  • Prescription dog food

 

Examples of items not covered:

  • Treats
  • Dog food
  • Toys
  • Dental chews
  • Grooming equipment
  • Baths

Submitting Invoices for Reimbursement:

You or your local veterinarian may submit invoices for reimbursement. Please submit itemized invoices with your name, current address, and guide dog’s name to the following:

 

Fax: 914-243-6829

Email: vetadmin@guidingeyes.org

Mail: Guiding Eyes for the Blind

Attn: Graduate Assistance Fund 
611 Granite Springs Road
Yorktown Heights, NY 10598

A check will be mailed within 2 weeks of receipt.

  • If you as the graduate have paid the invoice and are seeking reimbursement, please be sure to ask your veterinarian to mark the invoice paid before sending.
  • You are responsible for paying any outstanding balances with your vet hospital Once the Graduate Assistance Fund reaches $0.
  • You should keep track of the amount in your fund or contact the Vet Hospital Administrator at vetadmin@guidingeyes.org or 914-243-2258.

Gootter Vet Fund

Established by long time donors, the Gootters, the new “Gootter Vet Fund” will allow Guiding Eyes graduates to collaborate with Guiding Eyes’ vets and their own local veterinarians to help cover veterinary costs for minor procedures and diagnostic work. Upon pre-approval of a treatment plan and estimate reviewed by the Guiding Eyes veterinarians, the fund can cover expenses such as bloodwork, ultrasounds, and radiographs as well as minor procedures including dentistry and mass removals. This fund allows for expenditure of $1500 for a single use during the working life of a guide. This fund is dependent on availability and pre-approval by GEB vets. The ultimate goal of the fund is to return guide dogs to their work.

If you are a graduate and are interested in learning more about eligibility, please contact the Guiding Eyes Veterinary Department at vetadmin@guidingeyes.org.

 

For more information on the Gootter Vet Fund or to donate, please contact Rebekah Cross, Special Gifts Officer, at 914-243-2211 or rcross@guidingeyes.org

Hockmeyer Veterinary Care Fund

Another fund available to Guiding Eyes graduates is the Hockmeyer Fund. If a dog ever requires a referral to a veterinary specialist for diagnosis and treatment of a condition, this fund can help pay for the visit(s). To qualify, you must be referred to a specialist by GEB or your regular vet. If your regular vet refers you, you must contact one of the Guiding Eyes veterinarians to discuss the referral before visiting the specialist.

 

This fund is subject to availability and pre-approval by GEB. The care provided must have a good prognosis to return the dog to guide work.

 

Nutramax Laboratories Offer

Nutramax Laboratories has offered to provide Dasuquin or Cosequin free of charge to any working guide dog from Guiding Eyes for the Blind. Both are joint supplements used by many veterinarians to support joint cartilage production and to protect cartilage from breakdown. A letter from the Guiding Eyes Vet Department provides the information needed to take advantage of this generous offer from Nutramax. Click to read Nutramax Joint Supplement Information.