This is Casper, a Golden Retriever. Casper was the fifth Guide Dog Puppy our family has raised, and the first that we raised as adult raisers. The first four puppies were raised by our daughters (your can read about the earlier puppies here.) Casper went back to Guide Dogs for the Blind for his training in January 1999.

After Casper we raised Newell, a Black Laborador (LEFT). Newell went back for training in September 2000. Our next puppy was Jaeger (RIGHT). Jaeger, a Golden Retriever/Laborador cross, went back for training in August 2001.

Only about half the guide dog puppies actually make it into service; standards are very high. The dogs that don't become working guides are "Career Change Dogs". There is a long waiting list to adopt the "Career Change Dogs" (the puppy raiser has first call).

In accordance with Guide Dogs for the Blind policy, we won't tell you which of our dogs made it into service and which ones didn't.

This is our current Guide Dog Puppy, Jebron. He's a Black Labrador. That's Heidi on the left; on the right, our daughter Amanda and granddaughter Zeria.

Guide Dog Puppy Raising is an activity of 4H. If you are interested in becoming a Guide Dog Puppy Raiser contact your local 4H group to see if they are involved with Guide Dogs, or contact Guide Dogs for the Blind, Inc.

If you live in the Antelope Valley area of California, you can contact the local Puppy-Raiser leader, Kay Brickner (Phone 661-942-8816).