Guide Dogs of the Desert, a beacon of hope nestled in Whitewater, California, stands as a testament to the extraordinary bond between humans and dogs. This dedicated nonprofit organization is committed to fostering life-changing independence for individuals with visual impairments. They meticulously breed, lovingly raise, and expertly train guide dogs, transforming them into confident companions ready to navigate the world alongside their handlers. Through their comprehensive and rigorous training programs, these remarkable canines become invaluable partners, adept at assisting with crucial daily tasks, from safely crossing bustling streets to confidently maneuvering through crowded public spaces and skillfully detecting potential obstacles.
To secure the future of their vital mission, Guide Dogs Of The Desert has wisely established two endowment funds in partnership with the IECF (Inland Empire Community Foundation). The Secure Our Future Fund is strategically designed to provide a robust and stable financial bedrock, ensuring the long-term operational sustainability of the organization. Simultaneously, the Lehmer Endowment Trust Fund is dedicated to fueling specific initiatives and enhancing key programs, allowing for targeted growth and development. The organization warmly welcomes donations to both of these essential funds, as these contributions are instrumental in enabling Guide Dogs of the Desert to persistently pursue their core mission: empowering individuals with visual impairments to live fuller, more independent lives.
A recent grant from the Gracie Gagnet Memorial Fund, a fund tenderly named in memory of the donors’ cherished family pet, has provided a significant boost to Guide Dogs of the Desert. This generous funding directly addresses the escalating demand for expertly custom-trained guide dogs. These canine companions are not merely pets; they are vital providers of mobility, unwavering companionship, and enhanced independence for those living with blindness.
Robert Maher, the Executive Director of Guide Dogs of the Desert, emphasizes the profound impact of this support. “The recent grant funding through the Inland Empire Community Foundation (IECF) is incredibly important and will directly bolster our organization’s guide dog training program,” he states. “We’ve observed a necessary increase in our puppy intake year after year because we are currently facing approximately a three-year waiting list of individuals eager to receive a dog from our program.”
In response to this pressing need, Guide Dogs of the Desert has proactively expanded its operations, increasing the number of puppies in their program annually from 50 to 65. This expansion, while seemingly straightforward, presents its own set of challenges.
“On the surface, it sounds simple,” Maher explains, “but the real challenge is that, each year, we now require 65 dedicated puppy raisers to step forward and volunteer their time and homes to nurture these future guide dogs.”
Calling for Puppy Raisers: A Rewarding Volunteer Opportunity
This positive growth trajectory for guide dog availability in the region highlights a crucial element of the program that relies heavily on community involvement: the emotional and deeply rewarding journey undertaken by breeder hosts and, most importantly, puppy raisers. These volunteers understand the bittersweet nature of their commitment, knowing that after months of care and bonding, the dogs must return to the organization to embark on their formal guide dog training and ultimately be placed with individuals in need.
“Puppy raisers are undeniably one of, if not the most critical component of our entire program,” Maher underscores. “We simply cannot effectively train these guide dogs without the puppies having received that essential 18 to 24 months of a loving, stable foundation in a home environment.”
He further stresses, “I consistently emphasize the immense importance and our profound appreciation for our volunteer puppy raisers. We are perpetually seeking more individuals to open their hearts and homes to these puppies. It’s vital for them to recognize the transformative impact they have – they are genuinely changing someone’s life through their dedicated work. While we provide the specialized guide dog training for six months, the puppy raisers are the ones who dedicate 18 to 24 months to teaching these puppies how to be well-behaved dogs, laying the groundwork for their future success. This contribution is truly significant.”
The training provided by puppy raisers goes far beyond basic pet training. It is a comprehensive socialization and foundational education that prepares the puppies for the rigorous demands of guide dog training. After this crucial period, the dogs are willingly returned to Guide Dogs of the Desert to begin the next phase of their journey.
“We affectionately refer to this next stage as ‘college’ for the dogs – their formal guide dog training,” Maher explains. “For six months, each dog undergoes continuous assessment and evaluation to ensure they are meeting the high standards required to become a working guide dog.”
Upon successful completion of their training, the organization embarks on a meticulous matching process, carefully pairing each dog, with its unique temperament and skillset, with a suitable individual student from across the nation.
“Our matching program is highly personalized,” Maher highlights. “We conduct in-depth interviews with each student seeking a guide dog to gain a thorough understanding of their lifestyle and needs. For example, we had a gentleman who is an avid hiker, so we needed to match him with a dog possessing the stamina and adaptability for hiking trails. Another applicant, a vibrant woman in her late eighties who enjoys daily golf, required a dog trained to comfortably ride in a golf cart alongside her.”
While the increasing number of puppies in training is a positive step towards meeting the demand, it also amplifies the critical need for more puppy raisers.
“A significant piece of this puzzle is securing a corresponding increase in puppy raisers each year,” Maher reiterates. “Finding enough dedicated volunteers to meet this growing need remains a constant challenge.”
Volunteer from Anywhere: Expanding the Puppy Raiser Network
The encouraging news is that Guide Dogs of the Desert welcomes applications from qualified individuals to become puppy raisers, regardless of their location.
“We even have a wonderful couple who are ‘snowbirds’ from Canada,” Maher shares. “They spend their winters here and raise a puppy for us during their stay. When summer arrives, they return to Canada, and we maintain contact. They’ve since raised several puppies for our program over the years.”
The impact of Guide Dogs of the Desert extends beyond assisting individuals with visual impairments. The organization also provides highly trained support canines to various law enforcement agencies, including the Palm Springs Police Department, Desert Hot Springs Police Department, and the Garden Grove Police Department, further demonstrating their commitment to community service.
Volunteers and donations of all kinds – including the invaluable gift of time – are always gratefully received by Guide Dogs of the Desert. Consider the tangible impact of even a small contribution.
For the cost of two lattes, approximately $10, you can donate a durable Kong toy to enrich the training and development of a guide dog in training. Choosing to forgo a $100 massage can provide essential shampoo and grooming supplies for the dogs on campus during their rigorous training program.
These seemingly small sacrifices can make a world of difference to Guide Dogs of the Desert and the life-changing work they do. It’s definitely something to wag your tail about!
Learn more and get involved at guidedogsofthedesert.org.
Stay informed about the impactful work of the Inland Empire Community Foundation and the power of local philanthropy by subscribing to their eNewsletter, Philanthropy Matters, today.
