Virtual Campus Tour

[AUDIO DESCRIPTION]
Guide Dogs for the Blind logo.

[MUSIC]

[CHRISTINE BENNINGER]
At Guide Dogs for the Blind, we believe everyone should be able to lead the life they want to live.

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People walk with guide dogs.

[CHRIS BENNINGER]
Our passionate community employs the best practices in preparing dogs and people for the guide dog lifestyle.

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Out on the sidewalk.

[CHRIS BENNINGER]
And, we advocate for the policy reforms that change how the world views blindness and disability.[

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On a forest path.

[CHRIS BENNINGER]
Because when everyone is empowered to participate, our communities are stronger.

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On a sunset stroll.

[CHRIS BENNINGER]
Hello! I am Christine Benninger, President and CEO of Guide Dogs for the Blind.I am so delighted to be able to give you a glimpse into our world and our life-changing mission.

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Over a lush, green campus.

[CHRIS BENNINGER]
We have two beautiful campuses: one in San Rafael, California near San Francisco and one in Boring, Oregon just outside of Portland.

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Nestled among tall trees.

[CHRIS BENNINGER]
Both campuses have welcoming volunteer and visitor centers with educational exhibits about blindness, as well as gift shops with a variety of great products for both people and dogs.Please join me as we take a look around.

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The Puppy Center.

[CHRIS BENNINGER]
All of our dogs are bred and born on our California campus where they receive expert care from our veterinary and canine welfare staff.Our Puppy Center provides a safe, warm, and enriching environment for the puppies and their mamas during the earliest days of the pups’ lives.

[AUDIO DESCRIPTION]
A mama nurses a litter.

[CHRIS BENNINGER]
The center includes a Puppy Nursery, as well as an area for puppy socialization called the Young Heroes Academy. These features are designed to foster the health and success of our puppies, so that more of them reach their potential to become guide dogs that transform lives.

[AUDIO DESCRIPTION]
People interact with pups.

[CHRIS BENNINGER]
The Puppy Center also features a Learning Lab where visitors are able to enjoy interactive exhibits and watch the 6-8 week-old puppies being socialized under the loving and expert care of our staff and volunteers before they head out to live with volunteer puppy raisers for about a year.

[AUDIO DESCRIPTION]
On the Oregon campus.

[CHRIS BENNINGER]
Once the grown dogs return to our campuses from their puppy raising homes, they are ready to embark on the career for which they've been preparing.

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Instructors and guide dogs.

[CHRIS BENNINGER]
For two to three months, the dogs are taught by our professional guide dog mobility instructors to safely guide someone through the complexities of pedestrian travel.

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They navigate stairs and obstacles.

[CHRIS BENNINGER]
Our Guide Dog Training Program maximizes the use of positive reinforcement methods and the dogs enjoy lots of time to play each day.[AUDIO DESCRIPTION] People with dogs at play.

[CHRIS BENNINGER]
Once the dogs are fully trained, they are then ready to be matched with clients from all over the US and Canada who come to our campuses for two-week, residential classes.

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A person meets their dog.

[CHRIS BENNINGER]
Each client receives customized training that sets them up for success.

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Instructors work with clients.

[CHRIS BENNINGER]
Over the course of the two weeks, our clients bond with their new guides and learn how to work safely together through training sessions on campus and in the surrounding community.

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Inside a student residence.

[CHRIS BENNINGER]
The comfort of our student residence facilities,

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An accessible bathroom.

[CHRIS BENNINGER]
... along with caring and professional staff, provide warm and welcoming atmospheres that are conducive to learning.

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Students dine together.

[CHRIS BENNINGER]
Classes culminate in public graduation ceremonies that commemorate the accomplishments of our clients and their new guide dogs.

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A graduation ceremony.

[CHRIS BENNINGER]
Puppy raisers are invited to the graduation ceremonies to celebrate the life-changing partnerships they helped create and graduating class members bid farewell to return to their homes and families with their canine partners by their sides.

[AUDIO DESCRIPTION]
Staff and clients say goodbye.

[CHRIS BENNINGER]
While Guide Dogs for the Blind is primarily known for its guide dog training, we also provide other services including a guide dog readiness program and services for youth, who are blind or visually impaired.

[AUDIO DESCRIPTION]
Several youth with dogs.

[CHRIS BENNINGER]
I hope that this brief tour inspires you to tell others about Guide Dogs for the Blind and to support our life-changing mission.[AUDIO DESCRIPTION] Photos of people with their dogs.

[CHRIS BENNINGER] We receive no government funding.All of our services are provided at no cost and are made possible by the generosity of our donors and volunteers.

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All smiles and hugs.

[CHRIS BENNINGER]
If you would like to support us, please visit guidedogs.com and make a donation of any size, shop, or learn more about other ways to join our community. Thank you. And we hope to see you on campus soon.

[AUDIO DESCRIPTION]
The silhouette logo of Guide Dogs for the Blind appears.guidedogs.com; 800-295-4050.