About Us
Blindness does not discriminate, but cuts across all demographic groups. Guide Dogs of the Desert (GDD) serves those individuals who are legally blind (corrected vision less than 20/200 in best eye or limited visual field) in America. GDD clients represent a broad spectrum of visual impairment that ranges from legal blindness to a complete lack of vision. GDD clients are from all ages, genders, income levels and ethnic/racial backgrounds.
GDD has served clients aged 18 to 88. All guide dogs and training are provided FREE.
Founded in 1972, GDD is one of only 14 International Guide Dog Federation accredited schools in the United States. GDD serves without geographic boundaries.
Always equitable and inclusive, GDD is one of only a few schools in America that provides a specialized curriculum for people with multiple disabilities - hearing loss, autism, mobility disabilities, learning differences.
GDD is one of only a few schools that also works with desirable hypoallergenic poodles.