They come in varied shapes and sizes, but their job is the same: to provide mobility and independence for a blind man or woman. They are known as guide dogs and their relationship with their human partners is unique. Companion, protector and guide, they provide more than just "eyes" for the blind.

The guide dog movement, which began in this country more than a half-century ago, is made up of a constellation of not-for-profit organizations which breed, train and place dogs with blind and visually impaired people across the U.S., Canada and beyond.

About the dogs
Most guide dogs are German Shepherds, but there are also many Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers. Preparation for their career begins when they are just a few months old and are placed with a foster family for a period of one to two years. These "puppy raisers" provide love and support, and teach basic manners and social skills.

Once the dog reaches maturity, he returns to the sponsoring organization for formal training and evaluation. Training is intensive and covers all situations that the dog might encounter in the day-to-day work of guiding his blind or visually-impaired partner. A guide dog must even be able to disobey his partner's command when the situation requires it - for example, refusing to cross the street because a car is speeding through a red light.

Because the guide dog is responsible for his partner's safety, the standards are high and not every dog is selected for placement. Though specially bred and trained, they are ultimately selected for their job based upon individual intelligence, stamina and temperament. As one organization explains: "no dog is ready for placement until the trainer is willing to put his or her own life on the line during a blindfold test."

A unique partnership
Upon completion of his formal training, the guide dog is matched with a blind or visually-impaired man or woman. Great care is taken to make to good match: the personalities of the human and dog, their relative size, strength and energy level are all taken into account. This human-canine team then undertakes a rigorous training period lasting from three to four weeks to prepare the partners for the future life together.

The result is a unique dog-human bond built upon a solid foundation of trust. That team will work together seemlessly for a decade or longer, increasing the blind person's mobility and opportunities for independence.

Want to help?
It takes an estimated $15,000 to $20,000 to breed, raise and train a qualified guide dog and match that dog with a blind or visually-impaired individual. Yet guide dogs are provided to them free of charge, or for a small donation. Clearly, these non-profit groups depend heavily upon financial donations. These also need lots of volunteer support.

Volunteer opportunities for people who love dogs include fostering. Although no prior experience is required, these volunteer puppy raisers must attend classes and evaluations with their puppy. For more information, contact:

Guiding Eyes for the Blind, Yorktown Heights, New York, 800-942-0149. Website: www.guiding-eyes.org.

Guide Dogs of America, based in Sylmar, California, 818-362-5834. Website: www.guidedogsofamerica.org.

Guide Dog Foundation, Smithtown, New York, 800-548-4337. Website: www.guidedog.org

Guide Dog Foundation, Bloomfield, Connecticut, 860-243-5200. Website: www.fidelco.org.

Guide Dogs for the Blind, Inc., San Rafael, California, 800-295-4050. Website: www.guidedogs.com.