There are currently three ways a dog can "graduate" from guide dog school.
Working Guidess - After 6 months or more of formal training, the dog is matched with a visually impaired partner. Up to 4 more weeks of training is done together on campus before the new team is presented at a graduation ceremony. Often times the puppy raiser has the opportunity to attend graduation and meet the new partner.
Breeder Dogs - After returning for formal training, those dogs still under breeder consideration are carefully observed by the trainers and the breeding department. Only the most exceptional dogs are chosen to join the breeding colony. These dogs are also presented at a graduation ceremony and will live with a foster family in between litters of puppies.
K-9 Buddies - This is a new program that matches a suitable dog with a blind child to provide companionship, increased social opportunities, love, and experience caring for a dog. If the child later chooses to be matched with a guide dog, he or she will already have experience with dogs.
Dogs not selected for one of these three jobs are said to be career changed. Career changed dogs go on to work as therapy, search and rescue, diabetic detection, hearing, or of course they can be pet dogs! Check out Boulder's wonderful career change dogs!
Gage
Gage is a male, yellow labrador born on August 27, 2019 to dog dad Kingston and dog mom Tupelo. Gage is being raised by Anne, Kathy and Stan.
Snowy
Snowy is a female yellow labrador born on April 2, 2019 to dog dad Lemur and dog mom Starlight. Snowy is being raised by Terry H.
Polaris
Polaris is a male, yellow labrador born on April 7, 2019 to dog dad Dart and dog mom Parsley. Polairs is being raised by Cece and Tom B.
Bastille
Bastille is a female yellow labrador born on October 4, 2018 to dog dad Stockholm and dog mom Bernadine. Bastille is being raised by Heidi.
Giorgio
Giorgio is being raised by Matt and Sharyl. Giorgio is the son of Vikram, also raised by Matt and Sharyl. His dog mom's name is Precious. Giorgio is a male, yellow labrador born on February 22, 2018.
Winston
Winston is a male, black labrador born on January 4, 2018 to dog dad urvek and dog mom Cherie. He is being raised by Abby M, Roger M, and Emily R.
Ibex
Ibex, a female yellow labrador, was born on 2/27/2018 to dog mom Vesta and dog dad Zenith. She is being raised by Heidi. Ibex graduated on September 21, 2019.
Viking
Viking was born on January 22, 2007 and graduated as a working guide in October 2008. He was raised by Emma and her family and Margaret.
Galloway
Galloway is a male, yellow labrador born on September 6, 2019 to dog dad Sprocket and dog mom Beasley. Galloway is being raised by Libby & Brad.