Guide Dog Experience Day
A hands-on event for people who are blind or visually impaired interested in exploring the Guide Dog lifestyle.
Are you interested in learning if a guide dog is right for you? Consider attending Guide Dog Experience Day at either our California or Oregon campuses! This free, half-day event gives attendees self-assessment tools to make an informed choice about the guide dog lifestyle.
Topics and Experiences
- Cane or canine: the differences between long cane and guide dog mobility.
- Where’s the dog door: connecting with GDB’s services and the admissions path.
- Wanna go for a walk? Experience traveling a short campus route with a trained guide dog.
- See GDB in action: get a walking tour of our campus.
- Unleash your interest in the guide dog lifestyle: get a first-paw perspective about client training options, follow-up services, and lived experience from a seasoned guide dog team.
- “Paws” for lunch: meal provided by GDB.
Important Considerations and Requirements
- Guide Dog Experience Day is intended for people who are blind or visually impaired. Family members and blindness professionals are welcome to accompany attendees.
- Reservations at least a week in advance are required to attend Guide Dog Experience Day. Please indicate which session you are interested in attending when registering for this event.
- Sessions are presented in a group setting in an adult learning format and are recommended for ages 14 and older.
- Minor Policy Notice: All attendees under the age of 18 are required to be accompanied by a parent/guardian, teacher, or social service professional for the duration of the event.
Guide Dog Experience Day Locations, Dates, and Reservations
Guide Dog Experience Day sessions are held on GDB’s California and Oregon campuses in San Rafael, CA and Boring, OR.
See below for scheduled workshop dates and to register.
Meet the Presenters
Jane Flower
Jane Flower worked with older adults in the field of low-vision for over 12 years before taking her position at Guide Dogs for the Blind in 2013. Her previous role as Program Supervisor with Dayle McIntosh Center’s Aging with Vision Loss Program in Southern California afforded her the opportunity to share her personal and professional knowledge on such topics as Daily Living Skills, Assistive Technology, Braille Reading and Writing, and Self-Advocacy Training. Jane was born legally blind, and at the age of 8 was diagnosed with a retinal degenerative eye disease called Leber’s Congenital Amaurosis (LCA). Because of her personal life experience with vision loss, she was also able to provide peer support to the older adults she assisted.
Jane received her current and third Guide Dog Pilaf in November of 2017. In her current role as Youth Outreach Specialist, she and pilaf travel throughout the U.S. and Canada sharing the mission and vision of Guide Dogs for the Blind to perspective clients and their families, and professionals in the field of blindness and low vision. Outside of work, Jane and her husband Wayne live with her retired guide dog Anya, their pet dog KC, and of course little Pilaf. They love to travel, hike, go for long walks with their dogs, camping, and spend time with friends and family.