ABOUT
Did you know The Seeing Eye is the oldest dog guide school in the world? Or that The Seeing Eye dog is the state dog of NJ?
The Seeing Eye is celebrating its 95th birthday in 2024, and can boast some pretty remarkable numbers...
With over 18,000 partnerships between individuals and Seeing Eye dogs since 1929, there are currently about 1,500 Seeing Eye dog users in the United States and Canada.
Approximately 500 puppies are born each year at the Seeing Eye Breeding Station. At any given time there are about 250 dogs in residence at the Washington Valley campus, about about 60 adult dogs at the Chester Breeding Station.
Interested in becoming part of The Seeing Eye family? We warmly welcome individuals and families who are interested in raising these amazing future heroes or supporting The Seeing Eye in any number of ways!
Watch this video for a quick history about The Seeing Eye and the role of the Wagging Wonders!
The Seeing Eye breeds their own puppies. German shepherds, Labrador retrievers, Golden retrievers and Labrador/Golden crosses - and places these puppies at the age of 7 weeks with foster families, referred to as puppy raisers.
Puppy raisers, adults and children 9 years of age and older, from New Jersey, eastern Pennsylvania, Delaware, parts of Maryland, and New York teach the puppy basic obedience, socialize the pups and give them lots of love.
Each county has regularly scheduled meetings that raisers must attend with their puppies, as well as special events that help expose pups to the world they will work in as dog guides.
For example, puppies need to be exposed to things such as car travel, sounds, sudden noises, animals, crowds, slippery floors, stairs and stores.
Puppy raisers are provided with a comprehensive Puppy Raising Manual, and County leaders and Seeing Eye Area Coordinators provide them with guidance and support.
The Seeing Eye pays for all veterinary care, and provides raisers with a stipend to assist with the cost of food. Although working Seeing Eye dogs are allowed access to all public places, Seeing Eye puppies are not. Puppy raisers need to check with managers or owners before visiting a public place to make sure it is okay, and should avoid taking puppies to food stores and restaurants. More information can be found on our Resources page.
Puppies are returned to The Seeing Eye between the ages of 13 and 15 months, and will be evaluated for entering the training program. Puppies who are not placed in the training program may be adopted by their puppy raiser; if the raiser does not take the puppy back the dog can be adopted by law enforcement agencies or offered for adoption to supporters of The Seeing Eye.
