Graduation

The accomplishments of Guide Dogs for the Blind's clients, dogs, and volunteers are celebrated at public graduation ceremonies on both campuses. It is an opportunity to see GDB's mission in action: guide dog clients and their new guide dogs, dogs selected for breeding, K9 Buddy teams, and the puppy raisers who raised the dogs are all recognized during the ceremony. Clients in our Orientation & Mobility Immersion Program are recognized as well. The ceremonies are the culmination of years of love, time, and dedication. 

When a dog graduates as a breeder, guide, or K9 Buddy, raisers of that dog are invited to the graduation ceremony to help celebrate their life-changing impact and may have the opportunity to meet the clients (or breeder custodians) who have been paired with the dogs they have raised. On graduation day, puppy raisers receive an overview from staff of what to expect during the ceremony and other activities taking place that day. During the ceremony, the raisers have an opportunity to share a few words about their experience raising the dog.

If raisers plan to fly to attend a graduation ceremony, GDB recommends purchasing refundable airfare as there could be changes due to unforeseen circumstances. Puppy raising volunteers unable to attend the graduation ceremony of the dog they raised are invited to participate by submitting photos and virtual messages that will be shared during the livestream of the ceremony.

Guide dog clients who have received in-home training and K9 Buddy clients may not be available to participate in person at the graduation ceremony. For these clients, the GDB staff leading the placement will take photos of the team to share at the ceremony and with the raisers. The client and puppy raisers may have the opportunity to meet online via Zoom or a similar format. These clients and the puppy raisers of their dogs are invited to participate in graduation by submitting photos and virtual messages that will be shared during the livestream of the ceremony. The puppy raiser may also choose to attend in person and will have an opportunity to speak.