FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Besides the obvious obedience commands such as sit, down, stay, heel, back, stand, etc., the guide dog learns many guide dog specific commands such as forward, left, right, find inside, etc.

Dogs cannot distinguish the color of traffic lights, so the handler must make the decision of when it is safe to proceed across the road. The handler listens to the flow of traffic to figure out when the light has changed and then gives the command “forward.” If there is no danger, the dog proceeds across the road in a straight line. If there are cars approaching, the dog waits until the danger is gone and then follows the forward command (intelligent disobedience).

Intelligent disobedience means disobeying commands that may place a human in danger. Should its’ handler give a command to move left, right, or forward that would put the team in danger, the dog must be able to resist the command and use its’ own judgment about when it is safe to move.

Our puppies are raised by a volunteer puppy raiser from the age of 2 months to about 15 – 18 months, then about 3 – 4 months of formal harness training with a Guide Dog Mobility Instructor, and then 10-14 days or so to train the dog with the recipient. (Click here for additional information on becoming a Puppy Raiser)

Several sessions during placement training cover animal health (coat, nails, teeth, ears, general health), how to recognize and treat basic emergencies, teaching your dog new behaviors, playtime, problem solving, etc.

Dogs may leave guide dog training whenever issues that affect their ability to be a good and safe guide arise. Behavior issues – growling, fear, prey drive, lack of drive. Health issues – hips, elbows, eyes, allergies, general health. Also the dog may not enjoy the work and may be better suited as a different type of service dog.

We try and find an alternate service dog career that may be better suited (diabetic alert, search and rescue, etc.) to the dog.  If nothing fits, puppies/dogs that were born at OccuPaws and are better suited as pets, are placed with families as career change dogs.  Puppies that are donated by breeders often times have contracts with the breeder and are often returned to the breeder to find another career or home for the dog. The best interest of the dog is always our top priority. If you’re interested in a career change dog, please reach out to Barb, Kris or Kassel. Career Change Link

We try and find an alternate service dog career that may be better suited (diabetic alert, search and rescue, etc.) to the dog.  If nothing fits, puppies/dogs that were born at OccuPaws and are better suited as pets, are placed with families as career change dogs.  Puppies that are donated by breeders often times have contracts with the breeder and are often returned to the breeder to find another career or home for the dog. The best interest of the dog is always our top priority. If you’re interested in a career change dog, please reach out to Barb, Kris or Kassel. Career Change Link

We have five certified Guide Dog Mobility Instructors, all of whom are also O & M instructors.  They have all been certified by various guide dog schools  all over the country.

It costs OccuPaws $25,000-$40,000 to raise and train a guide dog.

Yes you can! You can donate by card through PayPal whether or not you have a PayPal Account or with a Venmo account. (Click here to make a Donation)

Absolutely!  You can be as specific or as general as you wish.  We will use the funds you donate as you direct.

Since we are largely a volunteer driven organization with a single paid employee (our Guide Dog Mobility Instructor) who has very little administrative duties, on average for the last few years about 93% of every dollar donated and spent goes directly into program services.  Only about 3.5% goes to administrative costs (phone, postage, accounting, etc.) and 3.5% to fund-raising activities.

Yes you can.  Both our financial statements as well as our 990 are available to the public. (Click here to view our Financial Information)

Yes, 100% of every donation is tax deductible since OccuPaws is a 501(c)3 non-profit association and a registered charity with the State of Wisconsin.

Yes, as long as they are friendly, over a year old and have been in your household for at least 6 months and not reptiles.  Be sure that you have time to work with your OccuPaws puppy if you do have many other pets at home.

Yes, as long as there are still ways for your puppy to socialize and as long as the puppy is left in a crate for an appropriate amount of time depending on their age.  Younger puppies should only be in the crate for a maximum of 2-3 hours except for bedtime.

Yes and No.  While the law treats service animals as exempt from any no pet or no dog rules you may have at your dwelling, common sense may make it more difficult but not impossible to raise a puppy for OccuPaws: for example – there is no exercise area, no grass to relieve themselves, you live on the upper floors, etc.  Check with your Puppy Coordinator for advice.

That will vary widely depending on whether we have any puppies available and if they match your home, life-style and personality.  The typical time is 1-3 months.  You also can choose the age you want as puppies are rotated among different households every 3-6 months so the pup gets a variety of experiences.

That will vary widely depending on whether we have any puppies available and if they match your home, life-style and personality.  The typical time is 1-3 months.  You also can choose the age you want as puppies are rotated among different households every 3-6 months so the pup gets a variety of experiences.

The puppy raiser is not responsible for any the typical costs associated with raising a personal puppy.  Food, vet care, spay/neuter, flea and tick preventative and heart wormer all year round, toys, and travel expenses average $75-$100/ month which is all covered by OccuPaws.

The puppies are constantly being observed and evaluated by you, the other trainers, the puppy coordinators and our Guide Dog Mobility Instructors.  There are a couple of review periods, typically around 4-6,  8-10 months and again around 13-15 months where they may live for a period with a different trainer to help identify issues and solutions.

Raisers are provided shot and medication schedules when they receive the puppy, as well as periodic reminders of certain requirements.

While there are some “emergencies” that can be handled at home, your puppy coordinator is your best, first contact if you don’t think it is an emergency.  If it appears life threatening, then contact your veterinarian or if needed an emergency Vet immediately.

Normally it is easier to start a new puppy after your current puppy leaves for formal harness training, however there are occasions where you may receive a new puppy while you still have your current dog in training.  You, the trainer, and your puppy coordinator would discuss it on a case by case basis.

Yes and no…you will become very attached and it will be difficult, but when you see the dog working it is all worth it.  Your first graduation ceremony, where you “present” the dog you have raised to the person whose life you have changed, will put it all in perspective.

We try and find an alternate service dog career that may be better suited (diabetic alert, search and rescue, PTSD, mobility, etc.) to the dog.  If nothing fits, puppies/dogs that were born at OccuPaws and are better suited as pets, are placed with families as a career change dogs.  Puppies that are donated by breeders often times have contracts with the breeders and are often returned to the breeder to find another career or home for the dog. The best interest of the dog is always our top priority.

Most guide dog schools will not place a dog with someone younger than 18 years old, however you may apply at a younger age to “start the waiting period” so that a dog may be placed shortly after becoming 18.

OccuPaws will retain ownership of the dog for at least 1 year after graduation. If after this time, the team is determined safe and the dog well maintained, OccuPaws will offer to transfer ownership to the graduate.

Nothing! The dogs are given to Wisconsin and surrounding state residents FREE of charge.

No, you just need to be certified legally blind (which may include many different visual impairments).

The initial in-home training typically takes 10-14 days with follow-up visits from our certified guide dog instructor provided as needed.

Yes! Graduates will continue to receive follow-up instruction and training for the life of the team.

Yes. An applicant who is currently using a guide dog does move to the front of the waiting list, however we believe that it is critical to find the right dog for each student. Therefore, graduates will still have to wait for the right match when looking to receive a new guide dog.