Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do I have to be totally blind to apply for a Seeing Eye dog?
No, but your remaining vision needs to be evaluated to see if you are an appropriate candidate. People with some vision need to be able to resist guiding the dog and must let the dog be responsible for the team’s safety. Each person is evaluated on an individual basis when considering admission.
2. How long do I have to wait for a class date?
Keep in mind that class confirmation is dependent upon having the right dog to match with you, not just when we have room in a class. Right now, the wait for class placement is about three to four months.
3. Is it okay if I have a pet dog or cat at home?
Yes. We have many dogs that spent their puppyhoods in homes with other pets.
4. Do I need Orientation and Mobility (O&M) training?
We highly recommend O&M training. Our experience indicates that the more experience you have with independent travel, the higher the chance for success with your dog.
5. What can I expect during my stay at The Seeing Eye?
Students arrive on a Saturday and spend the first few days getting acquainted with the surroundings and their instructors. Students are matched with their dogs on Monday afternoon. Days begin at 5:30 a.m., breakfast is at 7 a.m., lunch at 12:15 p.m., and dinner at 5:15 p.m. Each student goes on two trips per day; one in the morning, one in the afternoon. There is time in between trips for laundry, relaxing and socializing. Lectures take place after dinner. Instruction begins with short, simple routes in downtown Morristown, progressing to longer, more varied routes. In the last week of class, students have an opportunity to take a trip to New York City.
6. What are The Seeing Eye facilities like?
The main campus is about 2 miles from the center of Morristown. Student accommodations are single rooms with private baths. Each room has a double bed, a telephone and wireless Internet access. There is a technology center and library, fitness center, indoor and outdoor grooming facilities, a leisure path and outside patio. There are three lounges with TVs, VCRs and stereos.
7. Is there a graduation ceremony?
As a matter of policy, The Seeing Eye has never wished to draw attention to this transition from a ceremonial point of view. Instead, the emphasis is focused on continuing to build and strengthen the relationship, which is still in its infancy. While the formal instructional program is over, there is much work ahead for this newly formed team. Stepping out, introducing a young dog to new surroundings, new friends, family and co-workers serves to reinforce all that the two have learned over the past several weeks.
8. Are follow up services available?
Seeing Eye staff members are always available for telephone consultations as well as visiting graduates in their homes to help refine training techniques or answer any questions that may come up as dog guide users.
9. How much does a Seeing Eye dog cost?
Students pay $150 for their first dog and $50 for each successor dog. Payments may be made in installments after students leave the school. A fraction of the total cost to create a match between person and dog, this fee reflects the student’s commitment to enhanced independence.
10. Do Seeing Eye graduates own their dogs, or does the school retain ownership?
Once students leave The Seeing Eye, they are the full owners of their dogs. The school does reimburse students for any veterinarian expenses the graduates incur during the first year of ownership, though.
11. Does the school allow communication between a graduate and the family that cared for the dog as a puppy?
Many graduates write letters to their puppy raisers, and The Seeing Eye serves as intermediary to forward communications between the parties. However, we discourage any direct communication between graduate and puppy raiser. We strongly believe this policy is in the best interest of the emotional health of all involved: the graduate, the puppy raiser, AND the dog.