Guide Dog Lifestyle Workshops
For people considering a guide dog.
Are you interested in learning if a guide dog is right for you? Consider attending a Guide Dog Lifestyle workshop at either our California or Oregon campuses! This free, half-day event gives participants self-assessment tools to make an informed choice about the guide dog lifestyle.
The Workshop Topics and Experiences
- Cane or canine: the differences between long cane and guide dog travel.
- 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 the 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
- Reservations at least a week in advance are required to attend the Guide Dog Lifestyle Workshop.
- Proof of COVID19 vaccination is required to attend this event. A member of staff will describe this procedure when we receive your RSVP.
- If COVID19 vaccination is not possible, consider attending our virtual outreach event called The Path to a Guide Dog E-Series. Event-specific information can be found here
- Guide Dog Lifestyle Workshops are presented in a group setting in an adult learning format and are recommended for ages 14 and older.
- These events are designed for people who are blind or visually impaired, their family members, and blindness professionals.
Workshop Dates, Locations, and Reservations
Guide Dog Lifestyle Workshops are held on GDB’s California and Oregon campuses in San Rafael, CA and Boring, OR.
Open the tabs below for workshop dates, locations, and reservation information.
Location:
350 Los Ranchitos Rd.
San Rafael, CA 94903
2021 Workshop Dates:
December 8, 2021 9am- 2pm **This session is full. Please check back later for additional dates in 2022.
Register for Guide Dog Lifestyle Workshops taking place at GDB’s California campus by contacting:
Jane Flower, Youth Outreach Specialist
Phone: 800 295 4050
Email: [email protected]
Location:
32901 SE Kelso Rd.
Boring, OR 97009
2021 Workshop Dates:
December 1, 2021 9am-2pm
Register for Guide Dog Lifestyle Workshops taking place at GDB’s Oregon campus by contacting:
Jake Koch, Community Outreach Specialist
Phone: 800 295 4050
Email: [email protected]
Meet the Presenters
Jake Koch
Jake’s role at Guide Dogs for the Blind includes facilitating educational opportunities about the guide dog lifestyle to people who are blind or visually impaired and blindness professionals. He also consults with agencies and businesses about accessibility best-practices for people who are blind or visually impaired and supports corporate and service organization giving/philanthropy efforts for Guide Dogs for the Blind. The organization receives no government funding and provides all services free of charge.
In addition to Jake’s work with Guide Dogs for the Blind, he serves on the Disability Advisory Board with Alaska Airlines. This interdisciplinary board of experts is tasked with providing airline executives and staff with current best practices for serving travelers with disabilities.
Jake graduated with honors from Eastern Washington University, where he majored in Public Relations and minored in Journalism and Organizational Leadership.
In his free time, he enjoys traveling, stand-up paddleboarding, hiking, playing musical instruments (drums and ukulele), and spending time with family and friends.
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 is so blessed to be a part of the Guide Dogs for the Blind family. She 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 to perspective Guide Dog users and their families, and professionals in the field of 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.