Leader Dogs For The Blind

Leader Dogs for the Blind offers a residential, intensive 26-day training program for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. Clients live on campus and receive personalized instruction in working with their assigned guide dog, including navigation, obedience, and public access skills. The program also includes orientation and mobility training with the white cane. Dogs are professionally trained for 18–24 months before being matched with a client. Volunteers raise puppies for 12–18 months before returning them for advanced training.

Pricing Summary

All guide dog and orientation & mobility training services are provided at no cost to clients. Funding comes entirely from donations and philanthropy.

Leader Dogs for the Blind is a nonprofit organization that provides free guide dog training and orientation & mobility services to individuals who are blind or visually impaired. They breed, raise, and train highly skilled guide dogs, primarily Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, and Labrador-Golden crosses, to assist clients with safe and independent travel. The organization offers a comprehensive, residential training program where clients live on campus for several weeks to learn how to work with their assigned guide dog. Training is conducted at their dedicated campus facilities in Rochester, Michigan, including the Canine Development Center and Downtown Training Center. All services are provided at no cost to clients, funded entirely by philanthropy. While they do not offer general dog training for pet owners, they provide volunteer opportunities for the public to raise puppies or host breeding dogs, contributing to the development of future guide dogs.

The organization emphasizes a structured, professional approach to guide dog training, with a focus on public access readiness, obedience, and intelligent disobedience. Their program includes orientation and mobility training using white canes for those who prefer non-dog assistance. They also offer Spanish-language services and virtual learning opportunities for clients and professionals. Their training methods are rooted in positive reinforcement and behavioral science, ensuring dogs are reliable, calm, and responsive in diverse environments.

Leader Dogs for the Blind does not provide training services for pet dogs, family dogs, or behavior modification for non-guide dogs. Their services are exclusively for individuals with vision loss who qualify for their programs.

They also offer volunteer programs for puppy raising and breeding dog hosting, which require training and commitment from volunteers but are not direct dog training services for the public.

Accomplishments

Leader Dogs for the Blind has been training guide dogs since 1939. They have placed over 15,000 guide dogs and trained thousands in orientation and mobility. They are accredited by the International Guide Dog Federation and are a longstanding partner of Lions Clubs International.

How to Get Started!

Individuals interested in a guide dog or orientation & mobility training must apply through their online application process. After submission, applicants undergo an evaluation to determine eligibility. Accepted clients are invited to campus for a residential training program.