Veterinary Financial Assistance Program | Guide Dogs for the Blind Skip to main content

Veterinary Financial Assistance Program

Guide Dogs for the Blind's commitment to the health and wellness of our dogs.

Two GDB veterinary staff members pose for a photo with a smiling Golden Retriever in a vet clinic. Two GDB veterinary staff members pose for a photo with a smiling Golden Retriever in a vet clinic.

Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB) provides financial assistance for veterinary care as needed for all of our working guide dog and K9 Buddy teams. GDB’s Veterinary Financial Assistance Program (VFA) is designed to:

  • Provide appropriate financial support as needed for GDB clients requiring veterinary attention for their guide dogs or K9 Buddy dogs.
  • Ensure that finances are not a barrier for people wanting to be partnered with a guide dog or K9 Buddy, or an obstacle for guide dogs or K9 Buddy dogs to receive appropriate veterinary care.
  • Provide health information to GDB for each guide dog and K9 Buddy dog on a regular basis.
  • Help manage veterinary-related expenses for the responsible stewardship of donor contributions.

Funds are available for both wellness care and for illness/emergencies. 

Eligibility:

  • All working guide dogs from GDB
  • All K9 Buddy dogs from GDB after attending a VFA information session
  • Retired guide dogs that are adopted by their GDB graduate
  • Retired guide dogs that are adopted by an immediate family member of the GDB graduate. Immediate family member is defined as a parent, spouse, child, sibling, grandchild, or grandparent.

The VFA Program is dependent on a partnership role with our clients. For those participating in this program, it is important that you understand your responsibilities in achieving care for your dog, provide information to GDB, and be proactive in managing your dog’s veterinary-related expenses.

Contact Us:

  • VFA program coordinators can reached at 800-295-4050, option 2, option 2 to make pre-authorizations and answer questions about the VFA program.  
  • They are available during normal business hours from 8am to 5pm Pacific time, Monday through Friday, except major holidays.
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Fax: 877-556-8401
  • VFA staff all have experience working in the veterinary field and are available as an additional resource to help answer questions about your dog’s veterinary care, regardless of whether or not you are seeking financial assistance.

Additional VFA Information

VFA Forms and Links