| Dogs that provide mobility and independence for a | | | | placed with a foster family one or two years. |
| blind person come in a variety of shapes and | | | | These families give love and support, and teach |
| sizes. These dogs provide more than simply eyes | | | | fundamental manners and social skills. Once the |
| for those who are blind. They become their | | | | dog reaches maturity, he returns to the |
| companion, protector, and guide.The majority of | | | | sponsoring organization to begin formal training |
| guide dogs are German Shepherds, but there are | | | | and evaluation. Training is intensive and |
| also many Golden and Labrador Retrievers. | | | | encompasses all circumstances that the dog might |
| Training for their career starts when they are | | | | come across in the day-to-day work of guiding his |
| just a few months. During this time, they are | | | | blind or visually impaired partner. |