Ready, Set, FORWARD!
A monthly webinar series to help youth and young adults answer the burning question: to cane or to canine?


If you are blind or visually impaired and between the ages of 14-24, please plan to join us for our monthly webinar series to introduce you to the guide dog lifestyle and the programs at Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB).
Realize the PAWS-ibilities as we talk to guide dog users, GDB staff members, parents, and blindness professionals. We will explore a different topic each month - from understanding the differences between using a cane or a guide dog for mobility, how best to prepare for a guide dog partnership, our K9 Buddy option if a guide dog is not in your future, to what your day-to-day life might look like with a guide dog when you are in high school or away at college, participating in recreational activities, or traveling with your guide dog on a plane, train, or in an automobile.
Youâll also learn about the canine connection and how a K9 Buddy or a guide dog might fit into your family life and social interactions, and how having a dog can help build your confidence and advocacy skills. You will hear some âtailsâ of success from our alumni who received their guide at a young age and are living the âruff life!â
And if you are a parent or teacher of a child, teen, or young adult who is blind or has low-vision and might benefit from a partnership with a K9 Buddy or a guide dog, these webinars are for you as well!
We realize that people have so many questions, and the Guide Dogs for the Blind community has the answers!
When: The last Thursday of every month
Time: 5:00 pm PST
Location: Zoom
Dates and Topics, 2023-2024
March 30, 2023
- What are the key differences between using a cane or a guide dog for mobility?
- How can I best prepare for a partnership with a K9 Buddy and/or a guide dog?
May 18, 2023
- What is really involved with taking care of a dog?
- What are the daily, weekly, monthly, and annual care commitments of having a K9 Buddy or guide dog?
- What is the emotional impact of having a K9 Buddy or a guide dog (i.e., unexpected illness or death, retirement, etc.)?
May 25, 2023
- Why are my independent living (IL) skills so important if I would like to partner with a K9 Buddy or a guide dog?
June 29, 2023
- What can I expect as I go through Guide Dogs for the Blindâa application process for a K9 Buddy or guide dog?
July 27, 2023
- Is my family ready to welcome a K9 Buddy or a guide dog into our home?
- What role does everyone play?
August 31, 2023
- Am I ready to be the leader of the pack and to manage the behavior of those around me and their interactions with my dog?
September 28, 2023
- How would I deal with pet dogs or other service animals out in public?
- How do I advocate for myself and the guide dog community?
September 28, 2023
- What is it like to have a guide dog while still in high school?
September 28, 2023
- What is it like being away at college with a guide dog?
September 28, 2023
- What is it like having a job when you have a guide dog?
September 28, 2023
- I love to travel, where can I go and how will I get there?