Guide Dog Foundation

Did you know? 🦮 When students come to our National Headquarters for class, the Guide Dog Foundation covers the cost of their travel. It’s one less thing to worry about as they begin their journey to greater independence. You can help make more of these journeys possible. Tap the link in our bio to donate today and give someone the gift of second sight®. VD: A woman stands in front of a colorful mural that reads “LONG ISLAND New York.” She is smiling and wearing a teal shirt with a black vest and black pants. Beside her is a black Labrador guide dog in a harness. The mural features vibrant illustrations of lighthouses, water, and a sunset sky.

Ever wonder what happens during a two-week class at the Guide Dog Foundation? During International Assistance Dog Week, we’re spotlighting the personalized training each guide dog team receives. From busy urban streets to quiet suburban neighborhoods, whether you’re heading to college or navigating your workplace, our training is tailored just for you. We are committed to ensuring you and your guide dog are confident in any environment before leaving our campus. But our support doesn’t stop there! Our trainers and graduate support team are with you for life, offering ongoing guidance and support whenever you need it. Curious about how we help create a future where everyone can live without boundaries®? Click the link in our bio to learn more about our guide dog program. The video shows a few different individuals participating in our two-week on-campus class. They are seen practicing sidewalk-less travel, receiving their guide dog, taking their first walks, walking on sidewalks, and walking through the mall. The text on the screen is being read aloud. #GuideDogFoundation #GuideDog #GuideDogClass #GuideDogTraining #Blind #LowVision #NoVision #OrientationAndMobility #LiveWithoutBoundaries #InternationalAssistanceDogWeek

Welcome to the Guide Dog Foundation 🦮🎉 For more than 75 years, the Guide Dog Foundation has provided guide dogs free or charge to individuals who are legally blind or have low vision. We cannot fulfill our mission without the generous support of our volunteers and donors. Learn more about our organization and how you can support our mission by clicking the link in our bio. For the extended audio version of this video, visit our YouTube channel (@guidedogfoundation ) or click the link in our bio. #guidedogfoundation #guidedog #guidedogpuppy #guidedogsofinstagram #guidedogpuppyintraining #legallyblind #lowvision #visuallyimpaired #nonprofit #nonprofitwork #nonprofitsofinstagram

Guide dog teams taking their first walks together mark the beginning of a new chapter. Guide dogs provide their handlers with increased mobility, confidence, and independence as they navigate the world side by side. 💙🦮 VD: The video plays clips of handlers taking their first walks with their guide dogs on a boardwalk. The text overlay reads: “Guide dog handlers taking their first walks with their new partners!”

Taking a trip down memory lane. 💙🦮 Butchie, the New York Islanders’ fifth Puppy with a Purpose®, graduated with his handler this past weekend! In partnership with our sister nonprofit, America’s VetDogs, Butchie was trained in both guide dog and service dog skills to support his handler, an Air Force veteran. Thank you to the New York Islanders, Brooke, his puppy raiser, and all of the fans who helped shape Butchie into the incredible dog he is today. We know he’ll continue to do amazing things! Join us in wishing this new team all the best as they begin this new chapter together. VD: 1 - Butchie, a yellow Labrador puppy, sits proudly outside wearing a blue and orange New York Islanders hockey jersey. He is looking straight at the camera with his paws stretched out in front of him. 2 - Butchie walks through an arena tunnel wearing his Islanders jersey and blue protective earmuffs. He looks curious and focused as he walks toward the camera. 3 - Butchie sits on a blue hockey bench at the arena wearing a small Islanders hockey helmet and jersey. The empty ice rink is blurred behind him. 4 - Anastasia Pagonis kneels beside Butchie and her guide dog, a yellow Labrador named Radar, at an Islanders game. Butchie is wearing a blue training vest while the other dog lies calmly next to them. 5 - Butchie runs down a tunnel dressed in a blue shark costume with a fin on his back. His ears are flapping as he runs toward the camera. 6 - Butchie celebrates his first birthday by the water. He is wearing a blue birthday hat and sitting beside a stuffed toy and a bone-shaped cookie that says “Happy Birthday.” 7 - A close-up photo of Butchie wearing a blue and orange New York Islanders Puppy with a Purpose vest. He looks up softly at the camera indoors. 8 - Butchie sits outside wearing round glasses and a blue graduation cap with a yellow tassel. He looks serious and studious, like a graduate posing for a portrait.

We are excited to share that Butchie, the New York Islanders’ 5th Puppy with a Purpose®, is graduating with his handler tomorrow! 💙🦮 Butchie was matched with his handler, a visually impaired Air Force veteran, just two weeks ago, and since then, they’ve been building a strong partnership and learning how to navigate life together. We are proud of all they’ve accomplished in such a short time and look forward to what’s ahead for this new team! Thank you to the New York Islanders for partnering with us to raise Butchie. Want to watch the graduation live? Head to the America’s VetDogs Facebook page tomorrow, May 9, at 1:30 PM ET!

Very crucial information that we are happy to provide 😌 Now we triple dog dare you to donate your item and support our guide dog program (link in bio)! VD: 1 - A close-up background of brown dog kibble. In the center, a white, rounded text box reads: “YOUR BIRTH MONTH = AN ITEM FROM OUR AMAZON WISHLIST.” 2 - The word “JANUARY” appears at the top. In the center is a jar of Skippy creamy peanut butter with a blue lid. At the bottom, the text reads: “PEANUT BUTTER.” 3 - The word “FEBRUARY” appears at the top. In the center is a bright red rubber KONG dog toy. At the bottom, the text reads: “DOG TOY.” 4 - The word “MARCH” appears at the top. In the center is a box of Hefty gallon storage slider bags. At the bottom, the text reads: “GALLON STORAGE BAGS.” 5 - The word “APRIL” appears at the top. In the center is a metal wire dog crate with a black tray. At the bottom, the text reads: “DOG CRATE.” (Cont. in comments)

Future guide dogs, current masters of cuteness 💫 The force is definitely with them 🦮 #MayThe4thBeWithYou VD: 1 - A small black Labrador puppy is lying on a red blanket, wearing a green Yoda hood with big ears and a tan outfit. The puppy is holding a toy in its paws. Next to the puppy is a brown Chewbacca plush toy. The background is the same black fabric with white paw prints. 2 - A small yellow Labrador puppy is lying on a bright red blanket. The puppy is wearing a green Yoda hood with big ears and a tan outfit. Behind the puppy is a black backdrop with white paw prints. A small plush toy sits off to the side.

Had to take a training break to stop and smell the flowers 💛🦮 VD: A black lab wearing their guide dog harness lays on a pathway on a bright, sunny day. In the background a yellow daffodils.

Apologies in advance for any tears this may cause 🥹🦮 It takes about two years for a guide dog to learn the skills needed to guide their future handler with confidence. This International Guide Dog Day, we’re celebrating the journey behind every team. Learn how you can support our guide dog program through the link in our bio! VD: 1 - A close-up of a light yellow Labrador Retriever puppy sitting on a soft surface. The puppy is wearing a yellow Guide Dog Foundation training vest. The entire image has a blue overlay tint. Text on image: “Guide Dogs Then and Now” “WARNING: Emotional” There is a white arrow in the bottom right corner pointing to the right. 2 - A young light yellow Labrador Retriever puppy sits facing forward on a white backdrop. The puppy has soft, floppy ears and is wearing a yellow Guide Dog Foundation vest. Text on image: “Spirit Then” A dark blue arrow appears in the bottom right corner pointing to the right. 3 - An adult yellow Labrador Retriever sits outdoors on grass in front of green evergreen trees. The dog is wearing a brown leather guide harness and looking slightly off to the side. Text on image: “Spirit Now” A white arrow in the bottom right corner points to the right. 4 - A woman with long dark hair sits on a bench outdoors in front of evergreen trees. She is wearing sunglasses, a teal long-sleeve shirt, and black pants. Beside her sits the same yellow Labrador Retriever guide dog in a harness, positioned calmly at her side. Text on image: “Spirit With Her Handler”

Pre-Med, Cheerleader, oh, and did we mention she’s a Harvard graduate? Meet Bianca and her guide dog, Bailey! After graduating as a team in Summer 2023, Bailey made an immediate impact on Bianca’s life. Affectionately known as B Squared, this duo has already accomplished so much in just two years together. This International Guide Dog Day, we’re celebrating teams like Bianca & Bailey and the work that goes into creating them behind the scenes. 🦮 VD: The video shows a young woman, Bianca, sitting on a chair in the room within the Guide Dog Foundation. Her guide dog, Bailey, a female black lab lays on the floor beside her. As the video plays, there are clips that feature her time at Harvard and the Guide Dog Foundation.

"I could probably never thank [puppy raisers] enough for everything." - Dudley, U.S Marine veteran and America's VetDogs graduate. We are deeply grateful for our college puppy raisers who dedicate their time to raising future assistance dogs. Between attending classes, studying, and participating in extracurriculars, these students take on a 12–18-month commitment to train puppies to support individuals with disabilities. Their dedication helps make our mission possible and ensures we can continue providing greater independence and connection for those we serve.