Guide Dog Scholarships

ABVI provides guide dog scholarships to help defray the cost of veterinary visits, proper grooming and premium dog food. For many active blind individuals guide dogs are their means to independence. They are navigators, travel partners and best friends.

People may not realize the extensive work that goes into a guide dog team. As a puppy, the dog works for 12-18 months with a puppy walker working on socialization and basic training. This is followed by 6 months of advanced harness training with a professional guide dog instructor. When ready, the dog is carefully paired with a handler who will live with the dog at a center to train for 2 to 4 weeks. Kimberly Taylor, ABVI’s Manager of Own Your Life, describes the program as the dog’s equivalent of a Ph.D.!

Guide dog scholarship applications are mailed to clients in early May, and awards are made in June. These scholarships are made possible through a bequest from Katie Lee Beard and contributions from other generous donors.