F.A.Q.
Frequently Asked Questions

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1. Why do we use AKC or pedigree dogs when there are so many dogs in the pound?

2. What happens to the guide dog after they retire or are disqualified?

3. Who can be a puppy raiser?

4. Are Guide Dogs of the Desert Graduates only from California?

5. Do we train blind people in wheelchairs?

6. Do we train students who are both blind and deaf?

7. How many Guide Dog schools are there in the United States?

8. How much does it cost GDD to train a student/guide dog team?

9. How does Guide Dogs of the Desert get their money?

10. Where do the students come from?

11. How much does it cost for the student?

12. How long can a guide dog work?

Q: Why do we use AKC or pedigree dogs when there are so many dogs in the pound?

We don't use dogs from the pound because of their unknown background. Guide dogs must be capable of working for 6 to 8 years. Any donated dogs and breeders must have a clean pedigree dating back four generations before they are considered for guide work.

Q: What happens to the guide dog after they retire or are disqualified?

Handlers have the option to keep the retired guides or they may have Guide Dogs of the Desert place them in suitable homes.
 
Disqualified puppies are first offered to other service organizations, (i.e, search and rescue, bomb detection, therapy) and then to the most suitable home, which is often times the puppy raiser. If the raiser cannot take the dog, our waiting list of people wanting to adopt is consulted. 
   
Retired guide dogs are often placed as Therapy dogs in rest homes and hospitals.

Q: Who can be a puppy raiser?

Puppy raisers are volunteers from all walks of life. School groups, Scouts and 4-H clubs also raise puppies for us.  Puppy raisers just need to be able to give their time and energy in raising a puppy and constantly keep in mind the reason for doing this unselfish act of kindness.

Q: Are Guide Dogs of the Desert Graduates only from California?

Applicants and graduates come from all over the United States and Canada. At this time, we can only accommodate students that speak English and some Spanish.

Q: Do we train blind people in wheelchairs?

No we do not; however, we do customize dogs for the blind with special needs.

Q: Do we train students who are both blind and deaf?

Our instructors are very limited in their knowledge of sign language. Deafness is not usually a problem but most often the person has some residual vision and uses the two compatibly. We are unable to service the profoundly deaf/totally blind at this time.

Q: How many Guide Dog schools are there in the United States?

There are 10 recognized guide dog schools in the United States

There are three guide dog schools in California. Guide Dogs of the Desert strives to maintain its low student-instructor ratio of 3:1. This ratio ensures personal "one on one" instruction and enables us to concentrate on the individual needs of the student.

Q: How much does it cost GDD to train a student/guide dog team?

It is costly.  There are charges incurred from breeding, puppy development, formal training, in-residence training and post-graduation care.  Please contact our Development department for more information.

Q: How does Guide Dogs of the Desert get their money?

GDD is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation. GDD is supported solely on donations of the public, corporations and foundations. 

Q: Where do the students come from?

Since its inception, GDD has graduated more than 1,000 teams, living across the United States and Canada.

Q: How much does it cost for the student?

Nothing. GDD provides the accepted student with a guide dog (free of charge), 28 days of training at our facility and post graduate services, free of charge.

Q: How long can a guide dog work?

The average life span of a guide dog is 6-8 years. When a current dog can no longer work, we provide the student with a new dog, again, at no cost.

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