OBTAINING A GUIDE DOG

Training Time in Class

Twenty-six (26) days is the required training time for a first timestudent. Eighteen days is required for retraining if the student has been successful with a guide dog for a minimum of five years. Classes always begin on Monday. Students reside on the Southeastern campus in a comfortable eight bedroom dormitory. Rooms are designed to accommodate two students per room with private bath in each room. Eight to ten students are assigned to each class with three trainer/instructors, and a house parent that is on duty 24 hours a day.

Costs

The guide dog and the training are offered free of charge. Southeastern Guide Dogs, Inc. provides the dog, equipment, training, and room/board. After graduation, the maintenance of the guide dog becomes the responsibility of the graduate. Approximate annual cost: $900 to $1200.

Transportation

The applicant, once accepted, is responsible for travel costs to the campus in Palmetto, Florida and the return trip home upon completion of the training.

Application Process

Upon receipt of all application documents the applicant’s file will be forwarded to the admissions committee. A 10 minute video or DVD is required.The video or DVD allows the admissions commttee the opportunity to observe the applicant’s orientation and mobility skills. The video or DVD will also provide information onthe environment in which the dog will live and work.The video or DVD should include the working routes that the applicant travels or will travel on a regular basis including street crossings and stairs. The video/DVD is forwarded to the admissions committee with all written documents as part of the evaluation of the applicant’s file. At the discretion of the Admissions committee, home visits may be scheduled in lieu of a DVD or video.

Acceptance

Each applicant will be notified of the decision of the admissions committee by phone and in writing. The availability of a class date will be discussed at the time of acceptance. Applicants should make sure that all contact information is updated. The Admissions Office accepts phone calls to update information.

Getting scheduled for a class

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GENERAL CLASS INFORMATION

Preparing for Class

Exercise at home before entering our class.  All students should be in the best possible physical condition before entering the training program. We encourage every student to exercise by walking distances of up to 3 miles daily. Once in class, the student will walk training routes up to one and one-half miles in length, twice a day. These routes cover various types of terrain, with and without sidewalks, downtown and residential areas and of course, CLASSES CONTINUE NO MATTER WHAT THE WEATHER.

Diets:
Specific diet requirements should be sent to the Admissions Office at least two weeks prior to arrival.  A form is included in the acceptance packet. Snacks, coffee, juices, and fruit are available in the kitchen area at all times, at no cost.

Transportation to the facility:
The applicant, once accepted for class, is responsible for the travel cost to the school and for the return trip home upon completion of training. Financial assistance is available to those who qualify. Class begins on a Monday. Arrival times should be scheduled between the hours of 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM. The last day of class is always scheduled for a Friday. Departures should be scheduled by noon. Airport preference is Sarasota/Bradenton (SRQ).  However, ground transportation will be provided to/from Tampa (TPA) or Clearwater/St Petersburg (PIE) airports. If coming by Amtrak or Greyhound bus your designation will be Bradenton, Florida. Travel arrangements must be forwarded to the admissions department 2 weeks prior to your class start date.

Directions:
For driving directions, click here. 

What to pack 

Luggage:
Identification tags with your name and address should be affixed outside and inside your luggage. If flying, identify all luggage at the airport and make sure it is in the school vehicle before traveling to the school. No foot lockers or trunks.

Clothing:
The atmosphere is casual.  Bring clothing suitable for the 26-day training period. Foul weather gear is necessary because training is conducted regardless of weather conditions (raincoats, winter jackets, etc.). No umbrellas! Women should use shoulder bags or "fanny" packs rather than hand bags. Sensible, comfortable, broken-in walking shoes and thick socks are recommended. Students may wish to bring dress clothing for individual or class pictures and church.

Medications:
Students should bring a supply of medication to last for one full month. Diabetic students should also make sure they bring an adequate number of syringes. Urine testing is available for students, however, students are responsible for bringing the necessary supplies for testing. If needed, the services of a physician are available at a cost to the student and on an appointment basis. Students with certain diagnosed medical conditions (eg. Heart problems, diabetes, etc.) may be required to meet with a consulting physician at the beginning of the training program at student’s expense.  Each student should have a copy of their insurance card along with the name and phone number of your physician. Appointments, if required, will be arranged through your trainer.

Expense Money:
Students should bring enough money to cover personal items such as toiletry articles, cigarettes, beverages, etc. Students should bring a minimum 7-day supply of such items.  Shopping is not scheduled the first 7 days of class. Since training occasionally involves the use of department stores and/or malls, students are able to use those opportunities to shop. The gift shop is available for other purchases at the school.  Extra dog equipment, class and/or individual photos are available for purchase. Vending machines with soda, chips and candy are available at the school. Please note:  that Southeastern Guide Dogs does not have a cigarette machine. All meals are provided for students with the exception of one lunch.  Students should figure an expense of $50 for spending money. NO ALCOHOL OR ILLEGAL DRUGS PERMITTED AT ANY TIME!

Valuables:
Do not bring bring valuables to the school. Extra money may be locked in the office.

Check Cashing:
Southeastern Guide Dogs, Inc. is unable to cash any checks or large bills for students.  Bring a roll of quarters for the vending machines.  Out-of-state students should be aware it is very difficult to cash out-of-state checks. Travelers checks and/or ATM/debit cards are recommended.  Banks can also provide cash advances on a credit card.

Other Items:
Training consists of group instruction and personal, one to one instruction.  Students are encouraged to bring any easily transportable hobby equipment, personal reading materials, guitars, radios, tape recorders, etc. to fill the wait time.  Computers with internet and e-mail access, typewriters and Perkins Brailers are available for shared student use. Students should bring a cassette recorder to tape lectures for future reference. Students should also bring a sufficient supply of cassettes. 

While Staying at the School

Rooming:
All rooms are single occupancy.  Each room has one single bed, hairs, dresser, one bathroom and one walk-in closet. Bed linens, blankets, towels and face clothes are provided and laundered by the school. Students are required to bring personal items such as toothbrushes, toiletry items, shaving equipment, shampoo, and soap.  

Telephone:
Phones are available in each of the student’s rooms. No long distance phone calls can be charged to individual room phone.  Cell phones, calling cards, or collect calls are permitted.  Modem hook-ups are also available in each room for personal laptops.

Mail:
Incoming mail is received in the afternoon, Monday through Friday, and will be distributed by the class instructor. This mail can be read in privacy and in confidence by any member of the staff, as requested. Outgoing mail can be left in a pre- designated location at the counter in the lobby. Mail is picked up Monday through Friday by the post office. Stamps can be purchased in the main office, Monday through Friday.

Laundry:
Bedding and towels are washed by the school. For personal laundry, washers and dryers are free of charge. Although most students prefer to do their own personal laundry, our house parent can do your laundry once a week if you need it to be done. The school provides laundry detergent.

Religious Services:
Upon request, arrangements can be made for students to attend religious services of their choice.

Tour groups and visitors:
Southeastern Guide Dogs, Inc. offers tours and informational presentations about the school and the programs to individuals and groups.  Every effort is made to maintain the dignity and importance of the training process.  Interaction with potential donors is encouraged.  However, individual students may opt out of contact and the request will be honored.  

Visiting Hours

Weekend Visits:
Visiting hours have been arranged for the benefit of the training program. Visiting hours are for weekends only and follow the schedule listed below. Southeastern does not serve meals to visitors.  There are outdoor tables that may be used for picnics.

1st Weekend:
Visitors are welcome between the hours of 1-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Students are requested not to leave the premises with their visitors.

2nd Weekend:
Visitors are welcome between the hours of 1-4 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. Students can leave the premises with their visitors during the hours of 2:30-9 p.m., Dogs may be taken only at the discretion of the Class Instructors.

3rd Weekend:
Visitors are welcome between the hours of 1-4 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. Students may leave the premises with their visitors between the hours of 1-9 pm and may be allowed to take their dogs with them. It is important that students notify the instructor on duty when leaving the school grounds.

The Training Schedule

The Daily Schedule:
The training day for students begins at 6 a.m. and continues until 8:00 p.m. This includes basic obedience, scheduled night trips and evening lectures. Each weekday, the student will have two training sessions with the assigned class instructor. On weekends and holidays each student will complete one training session. The class will work in the communities of Bradenton, Palmetto, Sarasota and Tampa.

Evening Lectures:
Lectures are presented by the class instructors, the class supervisor and the Director of Training Operations most weekdays, evenings, and on some weekends. These lectures are used to share information and prepare students for the next day’s work. We encourage students to bring their own tape recorders (and tapes) or writing materials to have a record of the information provided.

Puppy Raisers' Day:
The third Saturday of class has been designated as Puppy Raiser Day. On this day the volunteer puppy raiser family who raised the guide dog as a puppy is  given the opportunity to meet the student.  Additionally, some special contributors and other interested supporters of the school may be invited to attend on this day. The puppy raiser families and invited guests will meet at the main campus in Palmetto. The day begins at 9:00 a.m. and ends by 1:00 p.m. Accompanied by a trainer, each student works a short route at the Palmetto campus to showcase the work of the new partnership.  Introductions are made after the showcase.  At this time information is shared about the guide dog as a puppy. Pictures are taken and lunch is provided for everyone.

Southeastern invites all the puppy raiser families.  However, distance or other obligations prohibit a puppy raiser family from attending on the scheduled day. When this happens during the day.   After this contact, continued bonding between the student and guide dog is of utmost importance,  Therefore, there should be no contact between the puppy raiser and the student/graduate with the guide dog for three months (90 days).   

Pictures:
Class pictures as well as individual pictures will be taken. Pictures can be purchased through the school. Pictures are 5x7 and cost $4.00 per picture.

Agreement:
Near the end of the training period students are asked to sign an agreement which transfers the ownership of the guide dog to you. Review the legal document

Returning Home

Going Home Packet: