AJ Milligan and Feather, his K9 Buddy.
  
SAN RAFAEL, Calif.—Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB), the largest guide dog school in North America, announced that it has expanded the geographic and demographic scope if its K9 Buddy Program. The program now includes adults of any age who are blind or visually impaired throughout the U.S. GDB said it also plans to ultimately expand the program to Canada. The K9 Buddy Program matches specially selected dogs with people who are visually impaired to become companions and pets.

Previously, the program was primarily limited to the western U.S. and was focused on youth. In addition to continuing to actively serve youth and their families, this expansion means more adults who want to learn about the guide dog lifestyle and even people who may not qualify for a guide dog can join the GDB community and benefit from the companionship of one of GDB’s exceptional dogs.
 
In addition to receiving K9 Buddies from GDB free of charge, K9 Buddy recipients are also eligible for GDB’s Veterinary Financial Assistance program to support the ongoing health of their dogs throughout their lifetime.
 
“We believe a dog can make a remarkable difference in any person’s life, by fostering a sense of caring, responsibility, self-esteem and confidence,” said Kelsey Gilbert, GDB K9 Buddy program manager. “We’re delighted to spread the love and benefits of having a K9 Buddy to a greater number of people throughout the U.S. and ultimately Canada.”
 
Good candidates for K9 Buddies are children five or older and adults of any age who have a visual impairment as verified by an ophthalmology report. Candidates should be able to provide a safe and loving home environment, exhibit emotional stability, and possess the ability and desire to care for a dog, which includes feeding, grooming and exercising.
 
K9 Buddies are not trained to perform the tasks of a service dog and therefore are not defined as service animals by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). To learn more about GDB’s K9 Buddy Program, visit GDB K9 Buddies.