Thank you to the American Council of the Blind

Get a dog and walk six feet tall.

Welcome to Guide Dog Users of Arizona, the leading consumer and advocacy organization of people with visual impairments using guide dogs in the state of Arizona!

Guide Dog Users of Arizona, (GDUA) is a non-profit membership organization of guide dog users, puppy raisers, and sighted or visually impaired individuals committed to an enhanced quality of life for all Arizona's guide dog teams.

GDUA offers support, advocacy, and mentoring to all of Arizona's guide dog handlers seeking assistance. Our quarterly publication, WAGGIN' TAILS, serves as an important link in keeping our statewide membership connected and informed.

GDUA members gather together twice a year for events full of fun, fellowship, and enlightening presentations

Public awareness
Education
Civil Rights
Legislative Issues
Special Needs

Membership in GDUA also provides automatic membership in Guide Dog Users, Inc. and The American Council of the Blind. GDUA members will receive PAW TRACKS, a quarterly publication from our national Guide Dog users Inc. Office and the monthly publication THE BRAILLE FORUM published by the American Council of the Blind. GDUA also works in cooperation with The Arizona Council of the Blind.

Responsible Dog Ownership and protecting dog guide teams .

A recent Guide Dog Users, Inc. dog attack survey revealed that 42% of dog guide teams experienced at least one attack and 89% experienced interference by a loose or uncontrolled dog. Findings also showed that the vast majority (nearly 85%) of interference/attacks occurred on a public right of way..

Ways to Protect Dog Guide Teams:

• Learn about and obey your state and local leash laws. In many states it's a criminal offense to permit your dog to attack or interfere with a dog guide.
• Enroll your dog in obedience classes. Properly socialized and trained dogs make better pets. Immunize against rabies and spay or neuter.
• Do not allow your pet dog to roam freely in your neighborhood or be unsupervised in an unfenced yard. Dogs are often territorial. Irresponsibility or apathy in this regard may become costly! Self-closing gates can be the answer to keeping your dog at home.
• Report any loose dogs roaming about in your neighborhood. Unsupervised pets in unfenced yards should also be reported. If you have your dog on leash, make sure he is under control. Do not allow your dog to be walked by a person/child not strong enough to control him. Flexi-leads in public areas are unsuitable.
• Be aware of your dog's temperament and potential for biting. Even an overly friendly pet that jumps on people or dog guides can cause serious problems.
• Alert the blind person of your dog's presence when passing by the team. A simple greeting of "Hi, I have a dog with me" is often appreciated.
• Never let your pet near a dog guide, even if your dog is leashed. Dog guides are working animals and must never be distracted from their duties of keeping their handler safe.
• If you witness an attack on a dog guide team, please report it to animal control and the police. Include as many details as possible, and leave your contact information with the team's handler.
• Take pride in being a responsible, intelligent, and capable pet owner.

List of GDUA Links:

• Arizona Council of the Blind
• Guide Dog User's Inc.
• Guide Dog Protection Info!
• Join GDUA today!
• interested in Puppy Raising? Click this Link.
• WAGGIN' TAILS - The quarterly publication of Guide Dog Users of Arizona.
• Check out the GDUA gang! - with E-mail to the Board.
• background on the use of dog guides
• Laws and Regulations Governing Access
• Friends of GDUA
• How You Can Help.
• Send a message to GDUA.
• Send a message to GDUA Web Master.

Come and join our monthly Guide Dog Users of Arizona, GDUA meetings.

The meetings are on the first Saturday of the month at 9:00 A.M. You can be included by tele-conference by calling:
641-678-3404 extension 931
This will be a long distance call charged to your phone, and at this time GDUA can not be responsible for any charges incurred by joining the meeting.

Bobby WorldWide Approved AAA