Guide Dogs of America
This alum of the program was at the open house.
On Saturday, June 13, 2009, Guide Dogs of America hosted its 22nd Annual Open House. It was, from the standpoint of this visitor, a huge success. Perhaps because it garnered a mention (and an adorable photo of a Puppy in Training) in the Auto Club’s June 2009 Westways magazine, the event drew the biggest crowd GDA has ever attracted for an open house.
This organization was founded by Joseph Jones, Sr. with the support of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers 61 years ago to provide independence, companionship, confidence and freedom for people who are blind or visually impaired. Guide Dogs of America trains each Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever or German Shepard for about six months. Then there is an additional four-week session with each dog and ‘matching’ blind partner.
Guide Dogs of America is headquartered in Sylmar on 7 1/2 acres in the San Fernando Valley. GDA receives no government funding, relying wholly on voluntary contibutions. In 2006-07 more than three-quarters of its expenditures were allocated to program services, just under 10% for administrative expenses, and not quite 14% for fundraising.
Guide Dogs of America’s website includes scads of information, including guidelines for puppy raising, etiquette when meeting a person with a guide dog, educational materials for grades 1 through 8, and shirts, caps, tote bags and other merchandise for sale.
