OccuPaws Guide Dog Association

OccuPaws is a nonprofit dedicated to providing fully trained guide dogs at no cost to the visually impaired adults across Wisconsin. Our Program

OccuPaws, an International Guide Dog Federation accredited school, offers a unique training experience to the clients we serve. All of our placement training sessions are conducted in the comfort of the client's home environment. This means that a blind

individual does not have to leave their home, their job and their family to get the training required to safely and effectively use one of the most incredible mobility tools available - a guide dog. In some cases, acquiring a guide dog may affect the lives of other family members, and depending on the client and the individual situation, the family may also partake in some of the guide dog training experience. Once an OccuPaws' puppy has earned his or her CGC (Canine Good Citizen) certification, passes our intensive health screenings and graduates from the Community Puppy Program, they start the three to four month long phase of Formal Harness Training. During the Formal Harness Training, the aspiring guide dogs reside in the homes of our Guide Dog Mobility Instructors or volunteer homes. While the dogs are learning guide dog mechanics, they are taught to avoid obstacles, indicate changes in elevation, respect traffic and much, much more. OccuPaws has also integrated "targeting" as a major part of the formal harness training. Our dogs are taught to find many objects for their blind partners such as escalators, elevators, stairs, empty chairs, counters, empty stalls in public restrooms, find inside and find their way out of buildings and so much more. Once the Instructors and Apprentice Trainers have completed the training necessary for a dog to become a safe and efficient working guide, the dogs are then proofed and polished by our visually impaired apprentice Instructor. Yes, all of the OccuPaws' Guide Dogs live and work with an actual blind person before they are matched with their permanent partners. It is the art of the match when it comes to pairing the perfect working team. Our application process and mobility screening helps us match the right guide dog with the right person. We take into consideration: lifestyle, activity level, walking speed and personality to name a few. Once we match the right dog with the right person, the placement training can take place. Our "in community" placement program is typically a two to three week training period. The length of the client's training is defined by the individual's needs, ability and experience. Our clients will learn how to safely use their guide dogs in many settings such as rural, residential, city and major metropolitan locations. All aspects of guide dog mechanics, philosophy, public transportation, problem solving and service dog access and etiquette will be covered during placement training. Technical support and follow up for the working life of each OccuPaws' team is available and at the ready when requested. We take great pride in our small size and our ability to effectively support our guide dog users. If you would like to apply for an OccuPaws' Guide Dog, please complete and submit our Student Application. If you have any questions regarding the Formal Harness Training program, please contact us! We are happy to help!

06/12/2026

🎂 Happy 1st Birthday, Norma! 🎂

Today we're celebrating GDiT Norma's first birthday!

As one of her puppy raisers puts it, Norma is a true "warrior princess"—bold, adventurous, spirited, and always ready for whatever comes next. From her puppy days to her current training adventures in the Paws Forward Program, she has tackled every new experience with confidence, curiosity, and determination.

Wishing this special girl a birthday filled with treats, belly rubs, and plenty of tail wags. Happy Birthday, Norma!

06/11/2026

🍔 🌭BRAT FRY AT THE SHOE BOX - SUNDAY. JUN 14 . 10 AM-5 PM 🌭🍔

Fire up your appetite and follow your nose to The Shoe Box in Black Earth this Sunday — because brats, burgers, and puppies are calling! We’ll be grilling up brats, hot dogs, and hamburgers — and yes… you can meet, pet, and fall in love with OccuPaws guide dogs in training.

Every bite you take supports OccuPaws guide dog training, helping provide greater independence and confidence for people with vision loss. Come hungry. Leave happy. Bring a friend—or a whole crew of hungry people. We can’t wait to see you there!

06/09/2026

🐾 A Different Path, The Same Purpose 🐾

Eight years ago, Brit's path took a different turn.

While he wasn't destined to become a guide dog, he found an equally important calling when OccuPaws placed him with the Enfield Police Department K-9 Unit as a narcotics detection dog. Since then, Brit has spent nearly a decade serving his community with dedication, determination, and an incredible work ethic.

Career change dogs remind us that success comes in many forms. Sometimes the perfect match isn't the one we originally envisioned — it's the one that allows a dog to use their unique talents to make a difference.

Thank you, Brit, for eight years of faithful service and for proving that every dog has a purpose. We're so proud of all you've accomplished!

On Saturday K9 Britford answered a mutual aid request by West Hartford PD. K9 Britford was utilized for narcotics detection on a traffic stop where he displayed a positive alert to the presence of narcotics on an occupant of the vehicle. The female suspect was concealing approximately 50 baggies of fentanyl on her person

06/05/2026

📣 Outdoor Summer Market - Date Change Alert! 📣

The Outdoor Summer Market at Lake Mills has been rescheduled and will now take place on Saturday, August 9.

Mark your calendars and plan to stop by to meet some of our Guide Dogs in Training, learn more about OccuPaws, shop local vendors, and support our mission of providing guide dogs to people with vision loss.

We look forward to seeing you on August 9!

06/04/2026

🦮 Client Placement Highlight: George & Guide Dog Ember 💙

Every guide dog placement marks the beginning of a life-changing partnership built on trust, teamwork, and independence. We are proud to celebrate George and Guide Dog Ember, our first client placement of 2026!

Since being matched in April, George and Ember have begun an exciting new chapter together. Like any great partnership, their bond continues to grow stronger with each passing day as they learn more about one another, build trust, and navigate life side by side. Ember is already putting her training to work, helping George travel with greater confidence, safety, and independence.

A placement like this is never the work of one person alone. It takes a village of breeders, puppy raisers, trainers, volunteers, donors, and supporters to help a puppy grow into a guide dog capable of changing someone's life.

A heartfelt thank you to Ember's puppy raisers who helped shape her journey every step of the way:

🐾 Bob of Plain
🐾 Kristy of Beloit
🐾 PawsForward Program of New Lisbon
🐾 Jane & Family of Fitchburg

Your dedication, patience, and love helped prepare Ember for this very special role.

Congratulations, George and Ember! We look forward to watching your partnership continue to flourish and wish you many years of adventures, independence, and cherished memories together.

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Telephone

+16087723787

Website

https://occupaws.org/

Address

PO Box 45857
Madison, WI
53744

OccuPaws Guide Dog Association

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