Guide Dog Application Process

The application for training provides us with an overview of who you are, including where you live, your health, travel skills, education, employment, previous guide dog experience and references. Please provide as much information as possible for each section.

Please note, the application must be signed and dated by you and witnessed by one person.

Download the Application for Guide Dog Training and Personal References forms for your application. 

Descargue los formularios de Aplicación para el programa de Perro Guía  y Referencias Personales para su solicitud.

The medical history and vision evaluation forms should be completed by your physician and eye care professional. If you have health concerns that could complicate training, please make sure these concerns are stated clearly by your physician. Training, especially for the guide dog program, is demanding and requires several hours of walking and working with a dog each day.

Download the Vision Evaluation Form and Physician's Report of Medical History forms your application.

Descargue los formularios de Reporte Oftalmologico y Reporte del Doctor del Historia Medico de su solicitud.

The waiver release of liability, indemnity and consent form allows us to contact the people listed on your application. All information is confidential and is never distributed outside of Leader Dog.

This form also allows us to share information with other professionals selectively. For example, it allows us to supply a doctor’s office or hospital with your medical information if you are accepted for training at Leader Dog and need to see a doctor while you are here.

Download the Waiver Release of Liability Indemnity and Consent form for your application.

Descargue el formulario de Consentimiento y autorización de información para su solicitud.

To assist our admissions committee in assessing your skills and suitability for training, we need a video showing your independent travel skills. The video will also help our instructors select the perfect dog match for you.

If you are unable to create a video, please contact Client Services at 248.651.9011 or toll free at 888.777.5332 or ClientServices@LeaderDog.org.

Video Checklist

• Answer the interview questions listed on the Video Request Sheet.
• Give a quick tour of the home where the dog will be living, including where the dog would relieve itself.
• Go up and down stairs.
• Demonstrate a route that you travel frequently that includes multiple intersections that are familiar to you.
• Travel in your workplace (if applicable).
• Video submissions should include 10–15 minutes of you traveling your route. If your route is longer than 15 minutes, please include it in its entirety.

Videographer Guidelines

• Keep natural sounds in the video (do not add music or sound effects).
• Avoid interfering with applicant in any way, unless applicant’s safety is in jeopardy.
• Avoid excessive editing. We prefer to see a continuous video when possible.
• Follow 3–5 feet behind applicant, keeping their full body in the video frame as much as possible.

Acceptable Video Formats

• Dropbox — Upload .mp4 or .wmv file to your Dropbox account and provide a shared link to access the file via email to clientservices@leaderdog.org.
• YouTube — Upload the video to your YouTube account, then email a shared link to clientservices@leaderdog.org (if you want your video to be available to us but not to the general public, change the privacy setting to "Unlisted").

Download the Guide Dog Video Request Sheet for your application.

Descargue la hoja de solicitud de video para Perro Guía para su aplicación.