Ground Transportation  

Most dogs and puppies will travel to and from the GDF campus by ground transportation. The Guide Dog Foundation owns several minivans and sprinter/cargo vans which are used to transport dogs/puppies. The vehicles are equipped with heat, air conditioning, kennels, and everything else the pups need for a safe ride! Puppy raisers may provide a familiar bone for the pup to chew on during the ride!  

What is the typical transport route? 

Transports leaving from NY: Transports typically leave NY on Saturday and stop in Frederick, MD and Winchester, VA to drop off and pick up pups. NY transport drivers will meet our GA transport team in VA on Saturday and then stay the night and return to NY on Sunday. 

Transport leaving from GA: Transports typically leave from Athens on Friday and make stops in SC and NC. The GA drivers will stay overnight in NC, then drive to meet the NY team in VA on Saturday before making the return to Athens. On the way back to Athens they will stop again in NC for an overnight stay.   

Where do the pups stay overnight during transport? 

During an overnight stay most of the pups will stay in volunteer homes. However, during overnight stays in VA the adult dogs will stay overnight in a boarding facility. Dogs in season and young puppies never stay in the boarding facility, they will either stay with transport drivers in a hotel or in volunteer homes.  

Do the pups get bathroom breaks? 

Dogs and puppies are given the opportunity to relieve before transport, once along route, and immediately upon arriving at their destination. Transport drivers are trained in leash handling and busying expectations! Puppies who are not fully vaccinated are given the opportunity to relieve in an X pen on newspaper covered concrete! 

What happens during a pit stop? 
Due to the tight transport schedule, there is not a lot of time for the drivers to make stops. However, if one of the drivers needs to eat, use the restroom, etc. the other driver will stay with the dogs. They are never left alone in the vehicle.  

Who drives the transport vans? 

We typically have at least one staff member assisting during transport, they are always accompanied by another staff member or a volunteer. On rare occasions, only one individual will drive the transport that leaves from GA, but this is very rare.