Guide Dogs for the Blind

Guide Dogs for the Blind GDB is the largest guide dog school in North America. Our passionate community employs innovative practices to create life-changing partnerships.

At Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB), we believe that everyone deserves to move through the world safely and confidently—to live the life they want to live. And, we advocate for the policy reforms that change how the world views blindness and disability. Because when everyone is empowered to participate, our communities are stronger. With world-class client services and a robust network of instructor

s, puppy raisers, donors, and volunteers, we prepare highly qualified guide dogs, provide guide dog readiness skills, and offer youth programs to empower individuals who are blind or visually impaired. GDB not only improves mobility for our clients, we further inclusion. More than 16,000 guide teams have graduated from GDB since it was founded in 1942. All of the services for our clients are provided free of charge, including personalized training and extensive post-graduation support, plus financial assistance for veterinary care, if needed. Our work is made possible by the generous support of our donors and volunteers; we receive no government funding. We operate two training facilities (one is headquartered in San Rafael, California—20 miles north of San Francisco, another in Boring, Oregon—25 miles east of Portland), and have more than 2,000 volunteer puppy raising families throughout the Western states. More than 16,000 teams have graduated since our founding, and there are approximately 2,200 active guide dog teams currently in the field. This page is moderated in accordance with the Facebook Community Standards (facebook.com/communitystandards) and we will remove posts and/or ban accounts that violate these standards, or are:
- Abusive or threatening towards any individual;
- Violating any law or individual's rights;
- Fraudulent or deceptive;
- Repetitive postings or spam;
- Off-topic or not relevant;
- Solicitations or advertisements.

As temperatures rise and we spend more time outdoors near beaches, pools, and sprinklers, here are some things to keep i...
06/02/2026

As temperatures rise and we spend more time outdoors near beaches, pools, and sprinklers, here are some things to keep in mind to keep your dog happy and safe:

1. Introduce dogs to pools gradually. Never leave dogs unsupervised around water.
2. Drinking too much seawater can cause vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, and dangerous electrolyte imbalances. Always bring fresh drinking water.
3. Dogs can get water contamination if they drink too much water too fast. This can happen during games of fetch, biting sprinklers, or continuous swimming.
4. Keep dogs away from stagnant water, especially ones with algae bloom. Swimming, drinking, or even licking algae from fur can produce toxins that affect the liver and nervous system, and these toxins can become life-threatening very quickly.

Find the full details at https://www.guidedogs.com/blog/water-safety-for-dogs

Photo by Levi Rocca

Congratulations to the class of 2026 in our GDB community! We're so proud of the journey you are on and can't wait to se...
05/30/2026

Congratulations to the class of 2026 in our GDB community! We're so proud of the journey you are on and can't wait to see the exciting path ahead. Help us congratulate them in the comments below! 🎉

Photo by Mayra Coronado

At California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly), you'll see students raising our guide dog puppies to be confident...
05/29/2026

At California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly), you'll see students raising our guide dog puppies to be confident, happy dogs. Learn more about the puppy club and how you can get involved at https://mustangnews.net/poly-pups-train-future-guide-dogs/ 🐾


Guide Dogs for the Blind - San Luis Obispo, CA Puppy Raisers

Cal Poly students go beyond the classroom to train and socialize puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind through the Poly Pups organization.

We're looking for volunteer drivers on our Oregon campus! Volunteer drivers support excited new clients and guide dog te...
05/28/2026

We're looking for volunteer drivers on our Oregon campus!

Volunteer drivers support excited new clients and guide dog teams as they first arrive to campus and throughout their stay with us. We provide the vehicles, gas, and training so that you can focus on the journey. You'll get to meet our amazing community first-hand and be part of someone's path towards enhanced confidence and independence.

Fill out our interest form at https://www.guidedogs.com/volunteering/campus-volunteers

On May 27, 1942, Guide Dogs for the Blind was born. Co-founders Lois Merrihew and Don Donaldson began training dogs and ...
05/27/2026

On May 27, 1942, Guide Dogs for the Blind was born. Co-founders Lois Merrihew and Don Donaldson began training dogs and instructing students from a rented home in Los Gatos, California, just south of San Jose. GDB's first class consisted of two students, and now, 84 years later, we have nearly 17,000 graduates!

Learn more about GDB's history at guidedogs.com/history

On this Memorial Day, we pause to remember and honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service. Our campuses will...
05/25/2026

On this Memorial Day, we pause to remember and honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service. Our campuses will be closed today in remembrance.

📸 Hans Welboren

05/24/2026

Welcome to GDB Cribs featuring Dr. Conover in the Vet Clinic on our California campus!

VD: Dr. Conover opens the door to the vet clinic. In the lobby, there is a front desk, and a guide dog team (Golden Retriever) sitting next to a scale. In an exam room, a yellow Lab lies on a scale receiving treats from a vet tech. Dr. Conover opens a a very well-organized pharmacy cabinet. The door opens into a large room, the treatment center, with an exam counter, overhead lights, and a black Lab resting on a comfy gray bed. Dr. Conover opens the fridge door to reveal a plethora of dog vaccines. A Real Housewives gif pops up when the producer says "Name em!' In the x-ray room, Dr. Conover stands next to a table and x-ray monitor. The doors to the surgery suite slide open as Dr. Conover stops in front of it where there is a heartbeat monitor, anesthesia machine, and laprascopic tower. As she says goodbye, the camera slowly moves close to the black Lab next to her who gives us a boop.

05/22/2026

Taking a “perfect match” to a new level 😂

In this video, GDB client Richard stands in front of a GDB backdrop with their petite yellow Lab guide dog, puppy raising family, and instructor during graduation.

It's time for May Pupdates 🌸Head to pupdates.guidedogs.com to check out how our dogs on campus are doing! Bonus points: ...
05/21/2026

It's time for May Pupdates 🌸

Head to pupdates.guidedogs.com to check out how our dogs on campus are doing! Bonus points: make sure to include alt text or image descriptions when you share Pupdates pics!

We're making progress on our new Oregon Residence and Community Hub!As the team works hard on this project, we want to k...
05/20/2026

We're making progress on our new Oregon Residence and Community Hub!

As the team works hard on this project, we want to know what you're most excited for when construction is complete. Let us know in the comments below!

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350 Los Ranchitos Road
San Rafael, CA
94903

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

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