GUIDE DOGS FOR THE BLIND'S PUBLIC GRADUATION CEREMONIES MELT HEARTS
Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB) will celebrate its guide dog team graduates every other Saturday with public graduation ceremonies at the organization’s campus in San Rafael. These touching public events have inspired tears in even the most stoic audience members, as graduating guide dog teams proudly take the stage. Families are welcome at the ceremonies, which honor the independence and companionship that GDB’s guide dogs provide for GDB’s clients who are blind or visually impaired. The events also allow GDB’s clients to meet the puppy raisers who cared for their canine heroes prior to beginning formal training at GDB’s campus. Ceremonies also recognize recent graduates of GDB’s Orientation and Mobility (O&M) Program, K9 Buddy Program, and Breeder Dog Program.
Admission is free, and Kleenex will be provided. Pre-registered bus groups are welcome. Public tours of the campus are offered on the days of the ceremonies. Visit www.guidedogs.com for more information. Graduation events are also livestreamed at https://www.youtube.com/@gdb_official/streams.
Headquartered in San Rafael, Calif., Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB) is the largest guide dog school in North America. It is a passionate community that prepares highly qualified guide dogs to empower individuals who are blind or visually impaired to move through the world more safely and confidently. More than 16,000 guide teams have graduated from GDB since it was founded in 1942. Over the course of more than 80 years, GDB’s mission has expanded to three kinds of programs: a Guide Dog Mobility Program, an Orientation and Mobility (O&M) Program, and a K9 Buddy Program. GDB not only improves mobility for its clients, but it also furthers inclusion and advocates for policy reforms that change how the world views blindness. GDB broke ground in early 2026 on a new state-of-the-art client residence and community hub that will more than double its capacity to serve clients at its campus in Boring, Ore. GDB’s services are provided free of charge, and it receives no government funding. The organization was the subject of an award-winning documentary feature called Pick of the Litter, which is available on various streaming platforms. For more information, visit guidedogs.com, or call 800.295.4050.
Event Links
Website: https://go.evvnt.com/3532027-0
