Southeastern Guide Dogs is committed to providing you with exceptional customer service as you navigate our application process. The information below will provide you with a clear understanding of our application process and provide you with a checklist of the items that we will need to expedite your acceptance into our program.
Eligibility
In order to qualify for this service, the applicant must:
- Be a Gold Star Family. Gold Star Families are immediate relatives of members of the U.S. Armed Forces who have been killed in combat or in support of certain military activities.
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Reside in the United States
- Have no felony convictions
- Have no more than two current dogs at the residence
- Understand that a Gold Star Family Dog is not a service animal. It is not trained to mitigate a disability or perform tasks. It is recognized only as a pet and has no public access rights under the ADA.
Application
The applicant must complete this
Gold Star Family Dog Application. This application includes:
- Personal information about the applicant
- Two Personal References
- Consent Form
- HireRight Consent Form (criminal background authorization)
Admission
Upon receipt of the fully completed application and all supporting documentation, our Admissions Department will evaluate your candidacy. Once accepted, you will be contacted by Southeastern staff to discuss the next steps. If your application is declined, you will receive written notice of the decision.
Training
While you are waiting for your call that a dog match has been made, you will have access to an online training course through our Online University that will provide information to get you ready for your dog.
Once Southeastern Guide Dogs has identified a dog which matches your family and lifestyle, you will be contacted by Southeastern Guide Dogs to schedule your placement. During this placement, you will work with our trainers to learn basic obedience and proper care and maintenance of your dog. Upon completion of the training, we will execute an adoption agreement which will transfer ownership of the dog from Southeastern Guide Dogs to you.
Costs
Southeastern Guide Dogs provides its dogs and training to families free of charge.
Once you adopt a Gold Star Family Dog from Southeastern Guide Dogs, the maintenance of your dog and all associated medical expenses become your responsibility. We estimate this cost to be between $900 and $1,200 annually, which includes food, toys and monthly preventatives.
Please complete the required fields of the application thoroughly. Providing email addresses for references is appreciated and may move along the paperwork collecting process more efficiently. Any information collected is strictly confidential.
*Please note, the application could take up to 30 minutes. We recommend you have all contact information for your references handy to reduce time spent. You may save the application at anytime and come back to it later by clicking at the top of any page and entering your email twice. You will then get an email with a link to return to that exact page and finish. You must have a valid email address to complete this application.