Answers to Your Questions
We commonly refer our callers to the following agencies specializing in blindness, assistance dogs or general dog-related resources. For questions related to Leader Dogs for the Blind, visit our Frequently Asked Questions.
Blindness Organizations
- American Council of the Blind (ACB) strives to improve the well-being of all blind and visually impaired people by serving as a representative national organization of blind people.
- Greater Detroit Agency for the Blind and Visually Impaired enables blind and visually impaired individuals to cope with the daily challenges associated with blindness through teaching, training, and innovative technology.
- Michigan Commission for the Blind provides opportunities to individuals who are blind or visually impaired to achieve employability and/or function independently in society.
- National Federation for the Blind (NFB) improves blind people’s lives through advocacy, education, research, technology, and programs encouraging independence and self-confidence.
Assistive Technology and Resources
- Able Zone (servicing Michigan residents only) provides a variety of low vision and blindness aids.
- Low Vision Solutions enhances the independence and quality of life for those with low vision by providing high quality, compassionate, comprehensive care.
Assistance Dogs
There are three types of assistance dogs: guide dogs for the blind and visually impaired; hearing dogs for the deaf and hard of hearing; and service dogs for people with disabilities that are not related to vision or hearing loss.
- Assistance Dogs International, Inc. is a coalition of not-for-profit organizations that train and place assistance dogs.
- Canine Assistants is a non-profit organization that trains and provides service dogs for children and adults with physical disabilities or other special needs.
- Canine Companions for Independence (CCI) is a non-profit organization that enhances the lives of people with disabilities by providing highly trained assistance dogs and ongoing support to ensure quality partnerships.
- Guide Dog Users, Inc. (GDUI) strives to promote civil rights and enhance the quality of life of working guide dog teams.
- National Association of Guide Dog Users (NAGDU) is a division of the National Federation of the Blind, the oldest and largest organization of the blind in the United States.
- NEADS (Dogs For Deaf and Disabled Americans) provides rescued dogs and donated puppies to assist people who are deaf or physically disabled in leading more independent lives at work, home and school.
- Paws With A Cause trains assistance dogs nationally for people with disabilities.
- Therapy Dogs International, Inc. (TDI) is a volunteer organization dedicated to regulating, testing and registration of therapy dogs and their volunteer handlers for the purpose of visiting nursing homes, hospitals, other institutions and wherever else therapy dogs are needed.
General Dog-Related Resources
- The German Shepherd Dog Club of America (GSDCA) provides resources for people looking for German Shepherd information, dogs, puppies and breeders.
- Golden Retriever Clubs promotes the temperament, appearance, soundness, natural retrieving and hunting abilities of the Golden Retriever. Members are dedicated to the responsible breeding and ownership of the Golden Retriever.
- The Labrador Retriever Club, Inc. is a source for information about the Labrador Retriever and some of the activities of the Club.
- Michigan Humane Society works to end companion animal homelessness, provide the highest quality service and compassion to the animals entrusted to our care, and to be a leader in promoting humane values.
- Oakland Animal Control educates citizens of Oakland County about pet ownership in conjunction with the laws of the State of Michigan.
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