Pilot Dogs

Hotter days are coming! ☀️ Keep your dog safe and comfortable by keeping them hydrated, planning walks during the early morning or evening hours, and taking plenty of breaks in the shade. Staying cool makes summer more enjoyable for everyone! ⛱️🐾


[Photo 1: Close-up of yellow lab with his tongue out. There is text around the image that says, “Temperatures are Rising! Follow these tips to prevent your dog from overheating in the warm months!” Photo 2: Two black lab puppies drinking from the same bowl of water. There is text around the image that says, “Stay hydrated! Make sure your dog is drinking lots of water. You can add ice cubes to help regulate their temperature!” Photo 3: Image of female walking a black lab in a park. There is text around the image that says, “Walk in the morning or the evening! Avoid the hottest temperatures by walking your dog in the morning or evening. Be sure to check the temperature of the pavement before walking! Photo 4: Image of male Pilot Dogs student in the shade with his black lab Pilot Dog. There is text around the image that says, “Seek shade! Find a nice, cool spot for your dog, especially during the hottest hours. Cooling mats are great too!”].

This week’s Pilot Dogs Student of the Week is our October 2024 graduate, Michelle! 🎉 Michelle and her Pilot Dog, Pez, were such a fun duo to train during their time here, and Michelle’s love for her Pilot Dog was truly inspiring.

We are grateful for all of our amazing O&M and Guide Dog graduates, and wish them nothing but the best! ❤️


[Photo: Image of female student meeting her yellow lab Pilot Dog for the first time. She is hugging him. There are graphics around the image that say, “Student of the Week: Michelle” and a quote over the image that says, “It’s like a family away from family. Having a guide dog has helped me just be more confident in what I’m doing. I can’t say enough about Pilot Dogs. They put the comfort of the students first so they can concentrate on working with their dogs. I think that’s a wonderful thing.”]

Congrats to Walter, our Pilot Dogs Student of the Week! 🎉 His hard work, determination, and positive spirit truly shined throughout the training process.

We’re proud to be part of his journey toward greater independence. 🦮


[Photo: Pilot Dogs student and black lab Pilot Dog seated on a wooden bench in the park. They are both looking at the camera, the student is wearing sunglasses and smiling, the Pilot Dog has their tongue out. There are graphics with a quote over the image that reads: "As someone who works with the (blind/visually impaired) community, I can now have better recommendations about this process. I think that will help other people who are struggling to adapt to their visual impairment."]

At Pilot Dogs, supporting independence is something we do every day. Today, we pause to honor those who served our country and remember the sacrifices made in service to our nation. 🇺🇸

Happy Memorial Day from Pilot Dogs!


[Photo: Black lab Pilot Dog wearing a guide dog harness. His front paws are up on a low cement wall with his back paws in the grass. The Columbus skyline is in the background. He is looking at the camera with his mouth slightly open. There is text over the image that says, “Happy Memorial Day!”]

YOU ARE INVITED to a special Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Open House at Pilot Dogs! Mark your calendars for Thursday, May 28th from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

We are so excited to reveal our new campus expansion! Come see our newly expanded campus, meet members of the Pilot Dogs community, and help us celebrate this exciting new chapter. We can’t wait to welcome you!


[Photo: An invitation decorated with black dog paw prints scattered across the top and down the left side. On the right side of the poster is a large illustrated yellow Labrador retriever sitting and facing forward. On the left side of the poster, bold black text announces an event. The words “OPEN HOUSE” appear in very large letters, and a smaller text above saying, “You’re Invited to the,” and then smaller text below reading “& Ribbon Cutting.” Beneath that, the event details say: “Thursday May 28th, 11:00 am – 2:00 pm” followed by the address “625 W. Town Street 43215.” At the bottom left corner is a red square logo for Pilot Dogs. The logo shows a white silhouette of a person walking with a guide dog.]

These Pilot Puppies are asking for CoPilots and donors! What better way to give back than helping pave the way for someone who is blind and visually impaired to safely navigate the world with CONFIDENCE?

Visit pilotdogs.org to explore giving opportunities! 🫶🏼


[Photo 1: Yellow lab puppy standing outside looking up at the camera. There is text over the image that says, “This is who is asking you to become a CoPilot!”. Photo 2: Black lab running outside towards the camera. There is text over the image that says, “This is who is asking you to donate to Pilot Dogs!” Photo 3: Yellow lab puppy walking outside towards the camera. There is text over the image that says, “This is who is asking you to become a monthly donor!”].

We’re so proud to celebrate Nisha as this week’s Student of the Week! 🦮 Watching her grow in confidence alongside her Pilot Dog, Scout, has been incredible. From training together on campus and graduating, to traveling to New York together, Nisha and Scout have made an amazing team! ❤️


[Photo: Female Pilot Dogs student posed in the park beside her yellow lab Pilot Dog. They are both looking at the camera. There are graphics with a quote over the image that says, "It felt really good to have a handle and to have a dog. It felt like freedom. Pilot Dogs is an amazing school. They do a great job training their dogs. I learned a lot from them, and everybody here is super friendly."]

Ever wonder what a JUNO walk is and why we do it? Swipe to learn more! ➡️


[Photo 1: Image of a male Pilot Dogs student being led by a harness that is held by the female Guide Dog Mobility Instructor. There are graphics over the image that say, “What is a JUNO Walk? Swipe to learn more!” Photo 2: Image of a female student going through a traffic cone obstacle course with a female Guide Dog Mobility Instructor. There is text over the image that says, “During the JUNO walk, the Guide Dog Mobility Instructor acts as the guide dog by holding the harness.” Photo 3: Close up image of two different hands holding onto the harness. There is text over the image that says, “This prepares the students for the feeling of getting pulled by a harness and trusting that feeling.”]