Dog Placements with Nonprofit Organizations

All dogs bred by Guide Dogs for the Blind go on to do wonderful things, whether by becoming a breeder, a guide dog, a K9 Buddy, a service dog for another organization, a GDB Ambassador Dog with an Orientation & Mobility professional or other allied professional, a GDB Agency Placement, or a beloved pet. The gifts of love, companionship, and service are invaluable in any situation.

Upon being career changed, some dogs will be identified as candidates to become a GDB Ambassador dog, or a dog that provides a service for people through one of our partner organizations or agencies. In addition, the Dog Placement team has developed relationships with a number of nonprofit organizations that wish to receive these well-bred and trained dogs into their programs. With the recommendation of Puppy Raising and Training staff, GDB will attempt to identify a placement with one of these organizations within approximately thirty days. If no match is found, these dogs will be placed in another role by GDB, returned to their puppy raisers for adoption or placement if the raiser requests, or adopted to another loving, caring home. Individuals who wish to adopt a dog for use as a therapy dog or companion will not be prioritized before puppy raisers.

A black Lab wearing a blue service dog vest.

Our Nonprofit Partners
GDB places its career change dogs with a select number of nonprofit organizations that have been evaluated and screened by GDB. These organizations will primarily consist of service dog organizations and may also include organizations such as canine search and rescue organizations and others that GDB believes enhance people’s lives. GDB will offer dogs to these designated organizations for adoption prior to the dogs’ puppy raisers being offered the option to adopt the dogs. Though they vary in mission and size, these organizations all have training methods, veterinary care, and other practices that are consistent with our expectations.

Our nonprofit partners:

GDB staff has a very thorough application and review process for organizations that wish to receive career change dogs for their programs. To qualify for consideration, all applicants must be nonprofit organizations and, when applicable, members of Assistance Dogs International (ADI). In addition, each organization must have a minimum of three years of successful operation and submit three years of financial statements or other evidence that demonstrate its ability to maintain operations and adequately care for its dogs and constituents.

Finally, all organizations that wish to receive dogs from GDB, must:

Provide indoor/outdoor sheltered housing for its dogs.
Practice primarily R+ training methods.
Provide monthly updates to GDB puppy raisers on each dog’s progress and invite the raiser to any graduation ceremony (if applicable).
Return to GDB any career change dog that is not successful in its training with them.