If you answered yes to all 13 questions in the Eligibility Quiz, Congrats! You meet the initial criteria for getting a guide dog. If you answered no to any of the questions, use the guide below to learn how to satisfy the initial criteria.
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Are you legally blind?
If you answered no to this question, you are not yet eligible for a guide dog. If you need help improving your navigation skills with the white cane, use your screenreader to check out this helpful article. If you later become legally blind, please check back with our website or reach out to a guide dog organization near you.
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2. Have you completed at least one year of Orientation & Mobility training?
If you answered no to this question, here are three places to obtain your training: Cal State LA; Wayfinder Family Services; and Orientation and Mobility Specialist Association.
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3. Do you live in the United States?
If you answered no to this question, the guide dog organizations we are working with will not be able to help you. However, there are many guide dog organizations outside the United States.
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4. Are there at least a few consistent routes you walk each day and/or each week?
If you answered no to this question, download Footpath to help you.
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5. Are you at least 18 years old?
If you answered no to this question, the next step will depend on your age. If you are close to 18, we recommend that you start the process because it could take a year or more. If you are not close to 18, you can check out this helpful article to improve your navigation skills with the white cane using your screenreader.
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6. Are you physically able to walk a mile at a time?
If you answered no to this question, you may want to work with a physical therapist or trainer to reach this requirement.
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7. Do you feel completely comfortable navigating environments with a white cane?
If you answered no to this question, taking some Orientation & Mobility training might help, here are three places to obtain your training: Cal State LA; Wayfinder Family Services; and Orientation and Mobility Specialist Association.
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8. Can you accurately judge traffic?
If you answered no to this question, taking some Orientation & Mobility training might help, here are three places to obtain your training: Cal State LA; Wayfinder Family Services; and Orientation and Mobility Specialist Association.
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9. Do you have a dog-friendly working and living space?
If you answered no to this question, use your screenreader to check out this helpful article about making your home dog-friendly.
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10. Can you financially and physically take care of a guide dog?
If you answered no to this question, you may be able to obtain financial assistance from one or more organizations in your community.
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11. Are you aware of the pros and cons of having a guide dog?
If you answered no to this question, use your screenreader to check out this helpful article to obtain the full picture.
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12. Are you open and willing to put in the work and patience that comes with learning how to work with a guide dog?
If you answered no to this question, we recommend that you visit or call a guide dog organization and talk to someone whose has improved their life with a guide dog .
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