Pilot Dogs

Co-Pilot Pre-Application Questionnaire Please click the link to complete this form.

🐾 **Co-Pilots Needed!** 🐾

We have an **urgent need for Co-Pilots** to help raise and prepare our future Pilot Dogs!

As a Co-Pilot, you’ll help give a future guide dog the socialization, experiences, and foundation they need to one day change someone’s life.

**Could you be part of their journey?**

👉 **Learn more and apply to become a Co-Pilot today:**
https://form.jotform.com/230676005962154

Not able to become a Co-Pilot right now? **Please share this post!** Someone you know may be the perfect fit.

Co-Pilot Pre-Application Questionnaire Please click the link to complete this form.

Teamwork makes the dream work! 🐾 Did you know Pilot Dogs collaborates with other service dog schools through an International Breeding Co-operative (IBC)?

Partnerships like these ensure rich genetic diversity and help us raise healthy, confident service dogs. Pilot Dogs was lucky enough to host the wonderful Victoria from ICAN. Th​is collaboration ​involved three schools: ICAN, LeaderDogs, and Pilot Dogs

JOIN OUR CREW!

We are searching for more on campus Volunteers!

Join us for our next New Volunteer Orientation on Saturday, August 15, from 9:00 – 10:00 AM and discover how you can support our mission to empower individuals who are blind or visually impaired.

Some Open Volunteer Roles Include:
Puppy Field Trips: Take young guide dogs in training out into the community to help them socialize and learn.

Playgroup Dog Runners: Keep our dogs happy, healthy, and active during group play sessions.

Puppy Pod Assistant: Assist our staff in caring for and managing our youngest pups.

Kennel Cleaning: Provide critical behind-the-scenes support to keep our facilities clean, safe, and comfortable.

⚠️ Important Step: You must submit a volunteer application before attending orientation. Space is limited, so reserve your spot early!

🔗 Apply Here: https://www.pilotdogs.org/volunteer/

Help Us Grow the Pack
Do you know someone who would be a great fit for one of these roles? Tag them in the comments below or share this post to your story—your share might connect us with our next dedicated volunteer!



Image Description: Two Pilot Dogs volunteers, a man and a woman in matching blue "Volunteer" shirts, kneel on the grass with two yellow Labradors, smiling in front of a brick building.

Trust is earned one step at a time. ​F​inal test walk: PASSED!

Did you know that before a Pilot Dog is matched with a future partner, they undergo rigorous, real-world testing?

To ensure maximum safety, our trainers put on blindfolds and trust the dogs completely to navigate busy city streets, construction, traffic, ​COTA bus, and unpredictable obstacles.

A huge congratulations to Rory on crushing ​her final test walk downtown today! You’re one step closer to changing someone's life with independence and mobility.

Photo description: A trainer wearing a blindfold walks across a city crosswalk alongside a yellow lab guide dog in harness, navigating downtown traffic safely.

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Congratulations to our June Guide Dog Class graduates!

We're proud to celebrate our newest guide dog teams as they begin their journey together. Thank you to our puppy raisers, Guide Dog Mobility Instructors, volunteers, donors, and supporters who make these life-changing partnerships possible. Join us in wishing our graduates many safe and happy adventures ahead!



[Photo: The June class and Guide Dog Mobility Instructors are in a lush green wooded park. A male Guide Dog Mobility Instructor standing next to a bench where a female guide dog student is sitting with her yellow lab Pilot Dog sitting between her legs. She is sitting next to a male guide dog student with his yellow lab Pilot Dog sitting between his legs. He is sitting next to a female guide dog student with her yellow lab Pilot Dog sitting between her legs. A female Guide Dog Mobility Instructor is standing to the right of the last sitting guide dog student.]

During guide dog class, we take our students on a nature walk in Sharon Woods Metro Park, which is one of our favorite days of training. The students and their guide dogs get to enjoy the outdoors while training on different terrains and nature paths. This prepares our students and dogs to travel confidently in any environment! 🌳


[Photo 1: Female student walking with her yellow lab Pilot Dog on a nature trail. The student is smiling and the male instructor is walking behind her. Photo 2: Male student sitting on a bench with trees behind him. He is bending over and loving on his yellow lab Pilot Dog. Photo 3: Female student sitting on bench in park loving on her yellow lab Pilot Dog. Photo 4: Another female student sitting on bench in park loving on her yellow lab Pilot Dog. Photo 5: Male student walking on nature path with yellow lab Pilot Dogs and a female student with her yellow lab Pilot Dog is trailing closely behind him. Photo 6: Female student walking on nature path with yellow lab Pilot Dog and male instructor trailing behind. Photo 7: Close up image of yellow lab Pilot Dog sitting in front of a park bench.]

Swipe to see Honey’s transformation over the past few months. 🥰
Honey has been learning quickly and working well with our Development Team! We’re excited to continue working with her and watching her skills develop over time. 🐾


[Photo 1: Small yellow lab puppy standing outside in the turf in the snow. She is looking up at the camera. Photo 2: The same puppy, but larger sitting in the park and looking directly at the camera.]

July is Disability Pride Month! At Pilot Dogs, we believe independence is a right, not a privilege.

Our guide dogs, Guide Dog Mobility Instructors, and Orientation & Mobility Instructors work every day to help people who are blind and visually impaired navigate the world with confidence.

To our students, graduates, and the greater disability community: we see you, we celebrate you, and we're honored to be part of your journey. 🐾❤️


[Photo: Image of a male O&M student walking with his white cane in front of the Columbus skyline. The male instructor is trailing behind. There is text over the image that says, “Happy Disability Pride Month”.]