I would like to introduce you to a wonderful organization, Guide Dogs of America an International Guiding Eyes Program.  The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers founded Guide Dogs Of America in 1947, when one of their members was denied a guide dog due to advanced age.  Since then, Guide Dogs of America has bred, raised and trained some of the world's most dedicated dogs and paired them with blind individuals, of all ages, races, and beliefs, from all over the United State.  The freedom and independence a guide dog brings a blind person in immeasurable.

          Guide Dogs Of America, breeds, raises and trains their dogs at their Sylmar, California facility.  After the dog is trained, the blind person is then brought to Sylmar and carefully matched with blind students taking into consideration their lifestyle and environments.  In addition, the personalities of both student and guide dog, size, strength, pace of walk, and energy levels of each are also matched to ensure a harmonious relationship.  Each team is housed at our facility and spends twenty-four hours a day together for twenty-eight days.  Upon completion, an awards ceremony is held for students, dogs, friends and family members.  The graduates then return home with their new partners and a renewed sense of Freedom and Independence.

         The cost of breeding, raising, training and finally pairing a quality dog to a blind person is $38,000.00.  All services including the guide dog, harness, in-residence training and lifetime follow-up are FREE-OF-CHARGE to the blind individual.  Since our founding in 1948 by Joseph Jones, Sr., a retired member of the International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers, GDA has graduated over 1900 guide dogs teams throughout theUnited States and Canada.  GDA receives no funding from any governmental agencies.  We are solely dependent on donations from individuals, businesses, foundations, clubs and organizations and bequest.