What does a guide dog do?

A guide dog helps a person who is blind or has low vision travel safely and independently — steering around obstacles, signaling curbs, stairs, and elevation changes, navigating traffic and street crossings, finding specific destinations on cue, and practicing "intelligent disobedience" by refusing a command that would be unsafe.

Who qualifies for a guide dog?

Generally, adults (usually 18+) who are legally blind or have low vision, can travel independently, are proficient with a white cane, have the stamina for daily walking, and can care for a dog's health and training needs. Programs confirm your visual impairment with a licensed medical professional, and no registration or certification is required under the ADA.

What is intelligent disobedience?

It's a guide dog's trained ability to refuse a command that would put the handler in danger — like ignoring a "forward" cue when a car is approaching. It's the one task where the dog deliberately overrides the handler, and it's central to what makes guide dogs so safe.

Do guide dogs need to be certified or registered?

No. The ADA doesn't require any certification, registration, or ID, and websites selling "official" registration are red flags. What matters is genuine task training and a disability-related need.