Dogs Inc. manager Marisa Blanco with Astro.
In May 2024, the more than four-decade-old Southeastern Guide Dogs nonprofit organization changed its name to Dogs Inc., and although it has a new-ish name, it’s still the same organization that pairs people who need extra help with dependable guide, service and companion dogs. So why the change? Location, location, location. Dogs Inc. serves people from all over the U.S., far outside the Southeast region, pairing them with their perfect pup at no cost, complete with lifetime training, veterinary care and nutrition needs. That’s right, dog food, veterinarian visits, preventive medicine, and a life-changing (and very soft) companion, for free. Amazing.
More Than Guides
In 1982, the organization began as a small guide dog school, training several different kinds of retrievers for people with visual impairments. Now, Dogs Inc. serves more than 700 people, including individuals with visual impairments, veterans and Gold Star military families.
Cash Cost
At any given time, there are 1,300 puppies and dogs living on campus or with volunteer puppy raisers. If an individual with vision impairment were to pay for a guide dog out-of-pocket, it could cost them upwards of $60,000.
Retriever Believers
Dogs Inc. breeds, raises and trains Labrador Retrievers and a cross between Labradors and Golden Retrievers called Goldadors. “They’re such people pleasers,” says Marisa Blanco, manager of the Dogs Inc. training team. “They are sound and strong working dogs, but ultimately, they want to please, and that makes them loyal companions.” She says it doesn’t hurt that they love a treat, which makes training easier than with other breeds.
Training Time
It takes two years from puppyhood to placement for guide and service dogs. Despite those years of intense training, some pups aren’t the right fit for placement, usually because of a fear of loud noises and storm anxiety. But don’t worry; they’re placed on the organization’s lengthy adoption waiting list and get to become someone’s beloved pet instead.
People Training, Too
People with visual impairments come to the Dogs Inc. Palmetto campus for three weeks to train with their new guide dog. “At first, we work on walking pace and the dog’s pull,” Blanco says. “Then we work on the client’s trust, helping them realize the dog is ready for them.” Blanco knows just how ready each dog is because staff works blindfolded with each dog before the client arrives. “It can be hard for anyone at first, but by the third week, we can see that our clients have confidence in their dogs,” she says.
Ongoing Support
When a person goes home with their dog, Dogs Inc. follows up within two weeks and again at 90 days, but support is forever. “It’s not just a lifetime commitment for the client and dog, it’s a lifetime commitment for us, too,” Blanco says. “Often, we can handle an issue over the phone, but if we need to go out of state to help in person, that’s what we do.”