Guide Dogs for the Blind Partners With American Printing House for the Blind on Summer Careers and Canine Program for Young Adults

- Career Development Program Helps Young Participants Considering a Guide Dog

Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB) and American Printing House for the Blind (APH) ConnectCenter have extended a partnership to offer a career program for young people who are blind or have low vision through Careers & Canine Connections, a weeklong immersive program for young adults aged 18-24. This year’s program, scheduled for August 9-14, will be held on and around GDB’s Oregon campus.

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A young woman with long dark hair smiles while sitting with a yellow Labrador Retriever from Guide Dogs for the Blind. (Photo: Business Wire)

Careers & Canine Connections offers a deep dive into career exploration and how guide dogs can fit into future employment opportunities for their handlers. It is designed to help young adults overcome the monumental unemployment and underemployment obstacles the blindness community has historically faced in the job market.

Participants will learn about new career options, practice interviewing techniques, explore the value of networking, and enjoy unique hands-on experience with guide dogs. Although it is not a guide dog training program, Careers & Canine Connections is tailored for young job seekers interested in exploring the guide dog lifestyle.

The partnership between GDB and APH, which was formed last year, marks the first time a leading American educational organization in the blindness community has joined forces with a U.S. guide dog school to offer career programming for young adults considering the guide dog lifestyle.

“We’re so happy to continue this important partnership with APH to foster the career readiness of young adults through Careers & Canine Connections, in a way that integrates the use of a guide dog into their employment plans and decisions,” said Christine Benninger, president and CEO of Guide Dogs for the Blind. “This partnership addresses an often overlooked, yet critical issue to the blindness community, which is allowing all people to fulfill their career dreams in practically any role in society.”

“We are excited to work with an organization making such a strong commitment to career planning for blind and low vision youth. The opportunity to learn about jobs and independent travel will be a powerful combination,” said Paul Schroeder, APH Vice President, Impact & Outreach.

In recent years, GDB has expanded its services to engage more youth who are blind or low vision. In addition to Careers & Canine Connections, GDB offers its K9 Buddy Program, which matches specially selected dogs to become pets and companions for children and their families, and adults of all ages; Camp GDB, an annual camp for youth and young adults to learn more about the guide dog lifestyle; and other educational opportunities for youth, families, and blindness professionals.

Careers & Canine Connections is free to participants who meet certain criteria. Applications are due on or before April 1, 2024. To learn more, visit Guide Dogs for the Blind’s website or attend the APH's information session on February 8th.

About Guide Dogs for the Blind

Headquartered in San Rafael, Calif., Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB) is the largest guide dog school in North America. It is a passionate community that prepares highly qualified guide dogs to empower individuals who are blind or visually impaired to move through the world more safely and confidently. More than 16,000 guide teams have graduated from GDB since it was founded in 1942. Over the course of more than 80 years, GDB’s mission has expanded to three kinds of programs: Guide Dog Mobility Program, Orientation and Mobility (O&M) Program, and K9 Buddy Program. GDB not only improves mobility for its clients, but it also furthers inclusion and advocates for policy reforms that change how the world views blindness. GDB’s services are provided free of charge, and it receives no government funding. The organization was the subject of an award-winning 2018 documentary feature film called Pick of the Litter which continues to be available via various streaming platforms. For more information, visit guidedogs.com, or call 800.295.4050.

About American Printing House for the Blind’s ConnectCenter

The APH ConnectCenter offers curated advice and resources to assist children, parents, adults, job seekers who are blind or low vision and their associated professionals, leading to greater independence and success in their lives. Trained staff at the ConnectCenter Information and Referral Line are always ready to help. Those looking for resources and services related to vision loss can call 800-232-5463, or visit https://aphconnectcenter.org/. American Printing House for the Blind is headquartered at 1839 Frankfort Avenue in Louisville, Kentucky. To visit APH’s website, please go to https://www.aph.org/.

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