Adult Programs
Legally blind adults who are 18 years of age or older and have the requisite orientation and mobility spatial representational skill set for working with a dog are invited to apply to our program. (Please click here for a complete list of required skills.) Adults must be physically capable of handling and caring for a dog and fit enough to walk long distances with the dog on a daily basis. Until our training facility is built, all training will take place in Canada so applicants must be able to spend 30 days there undergoing the training program.
All applications must include the Guide Dog Request Form, a medical report, a report from an ophthalmologist or optometrist, a recommendation from the O&M specialist and a video that clearly shows Orientation and Mobility skills. The video is reviewed by our O&M specialist as well as MIRA Canada. Those adults that meet all the requirements and qualifications will be invited to attend one of the guide dog training sessions in MIRA Canada.
MIRA FOUNDATION USA, INC. will provide transportation to and from Canada as well as room and board for 30 days of guide dog training at the MIRA Canada facility. Classes are limited to 10 individuals. Students are housed in single rooms in the residence building where all meals are served. Daily training begins at 8:30 and concludes around 5:00 with additional training often occurring in the evening. Note that all training will take place in North Carolina after our training facility is built.
Classes generally include 8 adults and training consists of an intensive 30-day program. Sessions on dog use and orientation include both individual and group activities. Over the course of the 4 weeks, training becomes more and more complex as it focuses on experiencing real-life situations. When the skills required to work a dog have been mastered and a student is able to orient him or herself in a regulated outdoor environment, training continues with visits to densely populated downtown areas with a high level of traffic to allow students to demonstrate their level of proficiency.
You should take with you: Walking shoes, rain clothes, money for personal expenses, coins for the drink machine and all personal items such as shampoo, soap, towels, toothpaste, hairdryer and medications of any type. You are invited to bring a TV or radio for your room although there is a TV in the living room available for your use. MIRA provides laundry soap, washer/dryer, iron and ironing board and sheets/pillows.
Weekend visitors are invited (after the first full week of training concludes) on the second Saturday from 1:30 to 9:00 and on that Sunday from 9:00 to 9:00. On the third weekend, you are permitted to go off-site with your visitor(s) from 1:00 to 9:00 on Saturday and from 9:00 to 8:00 on Sunday. Please note that MIRA Canada does not provide meals and/or lodging at the facility for visitors.
At the conclusion of the 30 days of training, students receive a dog bowl, a leash, a harness and a student certificate. After returning home, a MIRA Canada trainer will provide a minimum of 3 follow-up training sessions in the US.
If you are interested in applying to our program and would like to begin the application process, please click here.