They’re friendly, sweet and lovable, but don’t let their charming personalities fool you — these dogs are superheroes destined for an important life journey.

Guiding Eyes for the Blind, a national nonprofit organization, provides trained guide dogs to those experiencing vision loss; canines equipped to ensure their handlers can live life freely and confidently. “Our mission is to connect exceptional dogs with individuals for greater independence,” says Madeline Bruggeman, the regional puppy instructor for Richmond and NoVa South.

Central Virginia currently has 27 active volunteer puppy raisers and 25 volunteer puppy sitters, or those who temporarily babysit dogs if a raiser needs to travel. Puppy raisers are responsible for the foundational work helping pups get used to basic commands, house manners and socialization for about a year before they’re sent to Guiding Eyes’ harness school or evaluated for their breeding program.

One is Nora Pierre who has raised Guiding Eyes puppies for 12 years.

“We got started because a close friend of ours’ daughter was doing it as a way to earn volunteer hours in high school,” she says. “It felt like a great program to support.” The more Pierre learned about Guiding Eyes, such as how recipients weren’t responsible for dog fees, the more she became intrigued and thought it would be a great way to instill in her children the importance of giving back to others.

Pierre, who is also the Richmond region coordinator, just finished raising her 15th dog. During the months spent together, she takes trainees everywhere from the dentist to the grocery store. “All the things you typically do throughout the day [you want] to incorporate the puppy in as much as possible,” she says.

Lab Retrievers and German Shepherds

One skill dogs are taught is “settling.” This is where the dog learns to sit or lie down patiently next to their handler while they’re perhaps speaking with someone. “They need to learn to be calm and chill out when I’m doing something,” says Pierre.

Guiding Eyes currently relies on two breeds for the job. Labrador Retrievers are the primary one. “They’re very motivated which makes them pretty easy to train. They’re social, pretty adaptable and work with different people happily,” says Bruggeman.

German Shepherds are another. “Their stride is really nice to work with and they’re also very intelligent,” says Bruggeman. “They do an incredible job and some people only want German Shepherd guide dogs [from then on].” Most of the puppies used for training are born through Guiding Eyes’ genetics and breeding department.

Puppies are typically sent to raisers around two months old and stay with them until they’re about 18 months old. They’re then sent to harness school in New York (where Guiding Eyes is based) to receive more complex education from guide dog instructors, like how to wear and pull into a harness, navigate obstacles, indicate elevation changes and guide through traffic. By two years old, the dog is usually ready to be placed with someone.

While the work is fulfilling, one of the biggest challenges for many raisers is knowing their puppy will one day have to leave.

“It never gets easy,” says Pierre. “I never sugarcoat it to folks. Having sent back number 15, it sometimes gets harder and harder to do that; but the enjoyment the dog gives while with us is immeasurable.”

“It’s a big commitment,” says Bruggeman. “A lot of people have their own pet [or] are worried about getting attached to a puppy [they] raised. Once you’ve done it, you really kind of understand the sense of pride. These dogs are meant for something more than being a pet.”

While bittersweet, it’s not truly the end. Guiding Eyes always keeps raisers updated on their previous trainees throughout their work life.

“I will send you training reports on how the dog is doing each phase of training; let you know as soon as the dog is matched with somebody; the graduation you’re invited to and the graduates usually keep in touch and will send photos,” says Bruggeman. “Some raisers go and visit their dog when in the area [so] you are always connected to the dog.”

VCU raising puppies

Interest in raising Guiding Eyes puppies is steadily growing locally, including at Virginia Commonwealth University with its Guiding Eyes for the Blind at VCU club. The club, which started its puppy journey in September 2024, is currently raising Orville and Kent with three new puppies set to join in January 2026.

“We are always looking for more volunteers,” says Bruggeman. “The only way we can kind of continue to meet the need for guide dogs is to have somewhere for puppies to go and receive these critical foundation skills, love and socialization before they’re old enough to go into training.”

Want to get involved? Guiding Eyes hosts classes in Richmond at Christ Lutheran Church on the second and fourth Tuesday evenings of each month. While intended for volunteers and their puppies for further training guidance, anyone is welcome to attend to watch classes.

No experience is necessary to volunteer but there are a few requirements: Participants must have time to exercise and train their dog daily. Everyone living with the dog must be willing to follow strict policies (like no sneaking table scraps or allowing them on the furniture) and any pets in the house should be comfortable with a new friend moving in. Most costs, like veterinary care and supplies, are covered. “It’s a fun way to have your dog fix without having to cover costs,” says Bruggeman.

If you’re unable to volunteer but want to help, they suggest a financial donation or just spreading the word about their mission.  “You get to really see a lot of pride and sense of accomplishment with these dogs changing people’s lives,” says Bruggeman. “It’s worth it.”