Guide Dogs for the Blind

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Guide Dogs for the Blind GDB is one of the largest guide dog schools in the world. 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 instructors, 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.

Happy World Food Day!Much like our dogs, the humans at GDB are food-motivated. We are so grateful for our kitchen team o...
10/16/2026

Happy World Food Day!

Much like our dogs, the humans at GDB are food-motivated. We are so grateful for our kitchen team on both our Oregon and California campus for the delicious, personalized meals our clients and community love.

Find Chef Danny's recipe for Ginger Roasted Cauliflower Soup at https://www.guidedogs.com/blog/whats-cooking-chef-danny

It's time for October Pupdates 🍁Head to pupdates.guidedogs.com to check out our dogs' first taste of fall on campus as t...
10/15/2026

It's time for October Pupdates 🍁

Head to pupdates.guidedogs.com to check out our dogs' first taste of fall on campus as they embark on guide dog training, and K9 Buddy and breeder evaluations.

Happy White Cane Awareness Day! 🦯A white cane is a device that indicates a pedestrian has sight loss. Part of White Cane...
10/15/2026

Happy White Cane Awareness Day! 🦯

A white cane is a device that indicates a pedestrian has sight loss. Part of White Cane Awareness Day is recognizing that drivers or cyclists should be yielding to a person using a white cane.

Our Orientation and Mobility Immersion (OMI) Program provides intensive, personalized O&M training that helps people who are blind strengthen their travel skills, increase their independence, and navigate the world with greater confidence. This year, we're celebrating a milestone: 500+ OMI graduates 🎉

Read more about White Cane Safety Week at https://www.guidedogs.com/blog/white-cane-safety-week

10/14/2026

We love a flamboyant flagger 🦯

We asked Kelley, who is a GDB guide dog and Orientation & Mobility Immersion graduate, what their favorite part of learning to work with a white cane was. Here’s what she said.

🎥 Kelley stands in a GDB room in front of a crowd, white cane in hand.

10/14/2026

How does AI affect orientation and mobility services and guide dog teams?

GDB's Director of Orientation & Mobility Services, Marc Gillard, chimes in on the discussion.

In this video, Marc sits next to GDB CEO Christine Benninger and client Kristen in our fireplace lounge.

Service Dog Schools Advocacy Alliance Town HallJoin representatives from the Service Dog Schools Advocacy Alliance, a co...
10/13/2026

Service Dog Schools Advocacy Alliance Town Hall

Join representatives from the Service Dog Schools Advocacy Alliance, a collaborative working group of guide and service dog schools across the United States, for a community town hall focused on connecting, empowering, and advancing access. Learn about current access challenges, collaborative advocacy efforts, and ways community members can support education and grassroots advocacy. Bring your questions and comments!

Oct 29, 2026
12-1:30pm PT
Register at https://bit.ly/ServiceDogAllianceTownHall

Conversations with Chris is tomorrow!Join GDB President and CEO Christine Benninger for an inside look into our personal...
10/09/2026

Conversations with Chris is tomorrow!

Join GDB President and CEO Christine Benninger for an inside look into our personalized Client Residence experience for our guide dog teams and Orientation & Mobility Immersion clients.

Watch the livestream on Saturday, October 10th at 10am PT. https://www.avstream.me/gdbconversations

10/09/2026

Okay I guess I’m crying now

GDB client Kimberly stands with their yellow Lab guide dog Harlan on a graduation stage next to their 3 puppy raisers. There is a photo of Kimberly and Harlan as well as a photo of them with their puppy raisers all smiling together.

10/07/2026

“How do you train dogs to avoid overhead obstacles?”

This video has clips of GDB instructors practicing overhead training with guide dogs in training. It ends with a clip of a client walking in the city with their Golden Retriever guide dog.

Address

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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