OccuPaws Guide Dog Association

OccuPaws Guide Dog Association OccuPaws' mission-provide guide dogs to Midwest visually impaired adults at no cost to the client. We are happy to help!
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Our Program

OccuPaws, an International Guide Dog Federation accredited school, offers a unique training experience to the clients we serve. All of our placement training sessions are conducted in the comfort of the client's home environment. This means that a blind individual does not have to leave their home, their job and their family to get the training required to safely and effectively use o

ne of the most incredible mobility tools available - a guide dog. In some cases, acquiring a guide dog may affect the lives of other family members, and depending on the client and the individual situation, the family may also partake in some of the guide dog training experience. Once an OccuPaws' puppy has earned his or her CGC (Canine Good Citizen) certification, passes our intensive health screenings and graduates from the Community Puppy Program, they start the three to four month long phase of Formal Harness Training. During the Formal Harness Training, the aspiring guide dogs reside in the homes of our Guide Dog Mobility Instructors or volunteer homes. All of our dogs are trained on an individual basis and are worked extensively on a daily basis. While the dogs are learning guide dog mechanics, they are taught to avoid obstacles, indicate changes in elevation, respect traffic and much, much more. OccuPaws has also integrated "targeting" as a major part of the formal harness training. Our dogs are taught to find many objects for their blind partners such as escalators, elevators, stairs, empty chairs, counters, empty stalls in public restrooms, find inside and find their way out of buildings and so much more. Once the Instructors and Apprentice Trainers have completed the training necessary for a dog to become a safe and efficient working guide, the dogs are then proofed and polished by our visually impaired apprentice Instructor. Yes, all of the OccuPaws' Guide Dogs live and work with an actual blind person before they are matched with their permanent partners. It is the art of the match when it comes to pairing the perfect working team. Our application process and mobility screening helps us match the right guide dog with the right person. We take into consideration: lifestyle, activity level, walking speed and personality to name a few. Once we match the right dog with the right person, the placement training can take place. Our "in community" placement program is typically a two to three week training period. The length of the client's training is defined by the individual's needs, ability and experience. Our clients will learn how to safely use their guide dogs in many settings such as rural, residential, city and major metropolitan locations. All aspects of guide dog mechanics, philosophy, public transportation, problem solving and service dog access and etiquette will be covered during placement training. Technical support and follow up for the working life of each OccuPaws' team is available and at the ready when requested. We take great pride in our small size and our ability to effectively support our guide dog users. If you would like to apply for an OccuPaws' Guide Dog, please complete and submit our Student Application. If you have any questions regarding the Formal Harness Training program, please contact us!

Naboo is looking great in his harness!
06/21/2024

Naboo is looking great in his harness!

06/16/2024

We are having a Doggo Pool Party on July 13 from 12-4 pm!!
šŸ¾ Fundraiser for OccuPaws Guide Dog Association
šŸ— Alter Metal Recycling - Madison serving smoked meats and sides
šŸ’°Food purchase is by donation, with 100% of proceeds donated to OccuPaws and Alter matching donations up to $2,000
šŸ¾ Dapper Dog Provisions selling all-natural products for you and your dog
šŸ¶ Kiddie pools for the dogs (bring a towel)
šŸŽ¶ Live music by Jesse Bauman Music starting at 2 pm

Come celebrate summer at the Boneyard!!

Congratulations to our newest team, Rill & Nina! {Photo of Rill kneeling next to yellow lab Nina in harness looking into...
06/12/2024

Congratulations to our newest team, Rill & Nina!
{Photo of Rill kneeling next to yellow lab Nina in harness looking into the camera}

Arrow is in Lake Mills today for the Outdoor Market For OccuPaws - June. Come say hi.
06/02/2024

Arrow is in Lake Mills today for the Outdoor Market For OccuPaws - June. Come say hi.

A big congratulations to our latest graduates Ashley & Dolly!!!  {photo-Ashley kneeling with guide dog Dolly, a black La...
06/01/2024

A big congratulations to our latest graduates Ashley & Dolly!!! {photo-Ashley kneeling with guide dog Dolly, a black Labrador Retriever, sitting in front of her.

We are very excited for the first outdoor market of our summer season in Lake Mills!  Forecast is calling for great weat...
06/01/2024

We are very excited for the first outdoor market of our summer season in Lake Mills! Forecast is calling for great weather (finally!)

When itā€™s bedtime and you just canā€™t make it down that one last stair.
05/28/2024

When itā€™s bedtime and you just canā€™t make it down that one last stair.

And another new team is introduced and starting harness training- Kim and guide dog Kosmo. Welcome!!!!
05/22/2024

And another new team is introduced and starting harness training- Kim and guide dog Kosmo. Welcome!!!!

Ashley and her new guide, Dolly,  meet for the first time.
05/22/2024

Ashley and her new guide, Dolly, meet for the first time.

What a good looking group of pups. 3 guide dogs coming back to WI to get placed with their forever hooman! Do you know w...
05/20/2024

What a good looking group of pups. 3 guide dogs coming back to WI to get placed with their forever hooman! Do you know which three??

We're excited to be at our 8th annual Outdoor Market THIS Sunday, May 26th in lovely Lodi, Wisconsin!
05/20/2024

We're excited to be at our 8th annual Outdoor Market THIS Sunday, May 26th in lovely Lodi, Wisconsin!

We cannot say how grateful we are for such a wonderful program. Thank you to all involved to make this program what it i...
05/14/2024

We cannot say how grateful we are for such a wonderful program. Thank you to all involved to make this program what it is!

Congratulations to Paul and Lincoln. Our first team of 2024!!! {Paul seated next to Lincoln, a white poodle!!}
05/07/2024

Congratulations to Paul and Lincoln. Our first team of 2024!!! {Paul seated next to Lincoln, a white poodle!!}

Take the family out to the ballgame!! We are planning a wonderful event at the Mallards on June 13th! Our volunteers and...
05/06/2024

Take the family out to the ballgame!! We are planning a wonderful event at the Mallards on June 13th! Our volunteers and guide dogs in training will be attending this event.

Our trained guide dogs are matched to their visually impaired client and placed free of charge to the recipient. This is all possible through fundraising events like this!

https://madison-mallards.nwltickets.com/Tickets/SelectPromoSeats?PromoCode=OPGA24

We are very excited to see you.

05/01/2024

We had a wonderful time at the Waunakee Senior Center yesterday. Thanks for having us!

Lincoln is also in town and Shelby is going to introduce him to his new partner, Paul.
04/25/2024

Lincoln is also in town and Shelby is going to introduce him to his new partner, Paul.

Nina is on her way to Wisconsin to go to work for Rill.
04/25/2024

Nina is on her way to Wisconsin to go to work for Rill.

Happy International Guide Dog Day!!  Here is a photo of Kosmo before he comes back to Wisconsin to be placed in the Milw...
04/24/2024

Happy International Guide Dog Day!! Here is a photo of Kosmo before he comes back to Wisconsin to be placed in the Milwaukee area.

Here are some really interesting guide dog statistics provided by International Guide Dog Federation.

19,557 guide dogs are currently working worldwide. This means that 19,557 people who are blind or have low vision have the support of a guide dog to help them live life on their terms. This is a small decrease from the 20,281 guide dog teams working in 2022, as a result of decreased training numbers since the Covid-19 pandemic.

2,598 guide dogs were trained during 2023. The global Covid 19 pandemic had a severe impact on IGDF members around the world, but they showed resilience and creativity and found ways to continue to deliver these essential services. The 2023 figure of 2,598 is an improvement on the 2022 figure of 2,426, the 2021 total of 2,405 and the 2020 figure of 2,038, but further work is needed to return to the pre-pandemic levels of 3,000 guide dogs being trained each year.

7,007 individuals were employed full or part-time by IGDF organisations around the world. Their dedication, expertise and professionalism enables thousands of people who are blind or have low vision to enjoy a safe and effective guide dog service.

38,348 individual volunteers gave their time and experience to help IGDF member organisations deliver these life-changing services. This is a substantial increase on the 34,033 individual volunteers recorded in 2022. This demonstrates the strength and breadth of community involvement and support around the world.

9,312 guide dog puppies started guide dog training during 2023. This is a substantial increase on the 7,462 puppies who started guide dog training during 2022. The Covid 19 pandemic had a severe impact on guide dog training and guide dog waiting lists have increased worldwide. IGDF member organisations are determined to increase guide dog provision and reduce the time people have to wait for a guide dog. These new puppies are the guide dogs of the future.

More statistics on the IGDF website: https://www.igdf.org.uk/about-us/facts-and-figures/

When a dog isnā€™t meant to guide, we find a new career that fits them well! Go Milo & Minnie!
04/03/2024

When a dog isnā€™t meant to guide, we find a new career that fits them well! Go Milo & Minnie!

Assistance Dogs in Training and sibling duo, MILO & MINNIE thoroughly enjoyed visiting the horse farm! They love it when they can train and learn with one another! šŸ™ŒšŸ¼

Watch for more information on this golf event that donates so much to so many charities, including OccuPaws.
04/03/2024

Watch for more information on this golf event that donates so much to so many charities, including OccuPaws.

Proud of Lincolnā€™s confidence on loud, moving public transit
03/27/2024

Proud of Lincolnā€™s confidence on loud, moving public transit

Miss Luna and her 5 babies. All said they will be future guide dogs!
03/19/2024

Miss Luna and her 5 babies. All said they will be future guide dogs!

Congrats to Luna and Gunnar on their first litter!OccuPaws hands are full with two litters!
03/17/2024

Congrats to Luna and Gunnar on their first litter!
OccuPaws hands are full with two litters!

Friday afternoon at the Milk Bar. Congrats to Rose and Murray to their 2nd litter! šŸ’›
03/15/2024

Friday afternoon at the Milk Bar. Congrats to Rose and Murray to their 2nd litter! šŸ’›

Winter is coming.......and the good kind!  Winter will be living with Kristen right around April Fools Day.
03/10/2024

Winter is coming.......and the good kind! Winter will be living with Kristen right around April Fools Day.

Thank you Second Chance Studio for the great OccuPaws Sign.  Nigel loves it. ā¤ļø šŸ¾
03/10/2024

Thank you Second Chance Studio for the great OccuPaws Sign. Nigel loves it. ā¤ļø šŸ¾

Address

PO Box 45857
Madison, WI
53744

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Our Story

Our Program OccuPaws, an International Guide Dog Federation accredited school, offers a unique training experience to the clients we serve. All of our placement training sessions are conducted in the comfort of the client's home environment. This means that a blind individual does not have to leave their home, their job and their family to get the training required to safely and effectively use one of the most incredible mobility tools available - a guide dog. In some cases, acquiring a guide dog may affect the lives of other family members, and depending on the client and the individual situation, the family may also partake in some of the guide dog training experience. Once an OccuPaws' puppy has earned his or her CGC (Canine Good Citizen) certification, passes our intensive health screenings and graduates from the Community Puppy Program, they start the three to four month long phase of Formal Harness Training. During the Formal Harness Training, the aspiring guide dogs reside in the homes of our Guide Dog Mobility Instructors or volunteer homes. All of our dogs are trained on an individual basis and are worked extensively on a daily basis. While the dogs are learning guide dog mechanics, they are taught to avoid obstacles, indicate changes in elevation, respect traffic and much, much more. OccuPaws has also integrated "targeting" as a major part of the formal harness training. Our dogs are taught to find many objects for their blind partners such as escalators, elevators, stairs, empty chairs, counters, empty stalls in public restrooms, find inside and find their way out of buildings and so much more. Once the Instructors and Apprentice Trainers have completed the training necessary for a dog to become a safe and efficient working guide, the dogs are then proofed and polished by our visually impaired apprentice Instructor. Yes, all of the OccuPaws' Guide Dogs live and work with an actual blind person before they are matched with their permanent partners. It is the art of the match when it comes to pairing the perfect working team. Our application process and mobility screening helps us match the right guide dog with the right person. We take into consideration: lifestyle, activity level, walking speed and personality to name a few. Once we match the right dog with the right person, the placement training can take place. Our "in community" placement program is typically a two to three week training period. The length of the client's training is defined by the individual's needs, ability and experience. Our clients will learn how to safely use their guide dogs in many settings such as rural, residential, city and major metropolitan locations. All aspects of guide dog mechanics, philosophy, public transportation, problem solving and service dog access and etiquette will be covered during placement training. Technical support and follow up for the working life of each OccuPaws' team is available and at the ready when requested. We take great pride in our small size and our ability to effectively support our guide dog users. If you would like to apply for an OccuPaws' Guide Dog, please complete and submit our Student Application. If you have any questions regarding the Formal Harness Training program, please contact us! We are happy to help!


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