Leader Dogs for the Blind: What goes into making a guide dog

About Leader Dogs for the Blind: Leader Dogs for the Blind is a philanthropically-funded service that provides guide dogs to the blind and visually impaired. Read more about Leader Dog here.

Laura talks with Beverly Blanchard, Manager of Canine Development at Leader Dog, about how Leader Dog produces effective guide dogs. Specifically, how are dogs taken from puppy to certified guide dog? It’s a long and difficult process that requires a whole lot of effort from both the trainers AND the dogs!

Leader Dog is in a unique position where their guide dogs come from family homes that whelp and raise the puppies specifically for their guide dog program.

Bev then discusses the important differences between guide dogs, service dogs, and therapy dogs, since those three categories of dogs are often blurred together.