Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind history

In 1947, GDB moved to our present location in San Rafael, California, about 20 miles north of San Francisco.

1960 - Fidelity Breeders Cooperative is founded; Fidelco German Shepherd guide dogs are provided to existing guide dog organizations for training and placement with people who are blind or visually impaired.

1981 - Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation, Inc. is formally established as a guide dog breeding and training organization, and the first five Fidelco German Shepherd guide dogs are placed with clients.

1991 - Fidelco undergoes a major expansion to accommodate demand for the organization’s highly skilled German Shepherd Dogs.

1996 - Fidelco establishes its Apprentice Training Program, a rigorous three-year program in which apprentices train a minimum of 24 dogs before becoming certified Trainer/Instructors.

The first guide dog, “Harley,” was placed in November 1998 in the Houston area.

2000- The first international guide dog placement is made with a client in Canada.

2001 - Five Fidelco German Shepherd Dogs— “Logan,” “Hero,” “Zubin,” “Ira,” and “Fergus”—assist the Connecticut Police Canine Training Unit in a search and rescue mission over an 11-day period at the World Trade Center site.

In 2003, the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind recognized the need for an assistance dog program for veterans that would incorporate guide dogs, service dogs, and innovative training techniques.

2006 - Fidelco places its 1,000th guide dog.

2007 – Fidelco client John P. becomes the first practicing Registered Nurse in Rhode Island.

In 2008, the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind became the first assistance dog school in the United States to be accredited by both the International Guide Dog Federation and Assistance Dogs International, the two international bodies that certify guide and service dog schools, respectively.

2012 – Fidelco client Brad S. wins two gold medals and one silver medal in swimming at the Summer Paralympics in London on the one-year anniversary of the day he was injured in an Explosive Ordnance Device blast while serving in the United States Navy.

2014 – Fidelco client Lynn M. climbs Mt.

2017 - Fidelco client Amy D. becomes the first female athlete who is blind to compete in an XTERRA race.

Join us for the 75th Anniversary Guide Dog Foundation Virtual Run & Dog Walk to be held from April 24, 2021 through May 9, 2021.