A Guide Dog is trained to assist a person that is visually impaired and over the age of 18 years with navigating their environment. Click here to find out more https://guidedog.org.za/guide-dogs/
A Service Dog is trained to assist a person with physical disabilities to reach items that is out of reach, open and close items such as doors and push items such as buttons for lifts or light switches. Click here to find out more https://guidedog.org.za/service-dogs/
An Autism Support Dog’s primary function is to stop the child from running away when in public spaces and to be a trusted companion. This service is only available for children aged 5 – 10 that are on the Autism spectrum. Click here to find out more https://guidedog.org.za/autism-support-dogs/
A puppy raiser is a volunteer who takes on one of our puppies from the age of 8 weeks until around 18 months. During this time, the volunteer follows a training program which is managed by us and dedicated Puppy Raising Supervisors offer 24/7 support to the volunteer and the puppy. We cover all food and vet bills during this time. There are specific requirements for this program. Please read here https://guidedog.org.za/puppy-raising-and-dog-fostering/ before applying.
Weekend homers are members of the public who’re willing and qualified to take care of an adult dog in formal training from Friday to Monday and / or public holidays. We ask that the dog/s are simply given TLC and a safe home to rest after a week of training. Specific criteria apply to be approved.
Broodstock holders are either Puppy Raisers or an approved member of the public who maintains the brood in optimal health, brings her for monthly health checks and adheres to regulations required for the safekeeping of these highly valuable dogs. Specific criteria apply to these families
These services are available to people with vision loss who do not want to make use of a guide dog. Services are provided in the person’s home or work environment and are only available in Gauteng. Services include basic counselling and adaptive skills to continue with daily tasks such as money identification, food preparation and cooking. The use of the white cane as a mobility device is also taught. Assistive devices are provided along with training.