LEADERDOGS
FOR THE BLIND
Some Day I Hope to be a Leader Dog
Leader Dogs for the Blind was founded in 1939 by a group of Michigan Lions. Their goal was to train dogs to lead the blind and to provide facilities and means whereby trained dogs could be matched to a blind master. The training and executive offices are locatedin Rochester, Michigan. Each year over 270 students attend the 26-day residential training program to be paired with a dog guide. Since being founded over 12,000 blind people have gone thru the program.
When not training on the streets of Rochester or other nearby communities, the student and their Leader Dog can practice on their on-site training course. Instructors reinforce lessons to student and dog alike, and builds on each subsequent session to prepare the student and Leader Dog for their final street encounter.
Currently, Leader Dog is the only facility in the Western Hemisphere to teach Deaf-Blind students to work with a guide dog. There is no charge for a Leader Dog, or for room and board and travel to and from the campus for students living in North America. It costs the the school approximately $20,000 for each team.
Leader Dogs is supported by contributions from the public-Lions, Lioness and Leo Clubs, sororities, various public-supported agencies and private individuals.
Leader Dog is recognized as a "Best in America" Charity by the Independent Charities of America (ICA).