Darcy & Turbo  -  Patricia & Howie

Watch the graduation slide show of Darcy Wong with guide dog Turbo and Patricia Hite with guide dog Howie.

An international team of researchers has found a clue to one of the leading causes of blindness, which they hope could eventually lead to a cure.  

Approximately 1.8 million Americans age 40 and older have advanced AMD, and another 7.3 million people with intermediate AMD are at substantial risk for vision loss. The government estimates that by 2020 there will be 2.9 million people with advanced AMD.
    

Click here to read more. 

Guide Dogs of the Desert provides guide dogs to the blind free of charge.

 

Help us raise a puppy
to become a hero.

 

Call Trina at 760-329-6257 or visit our website: www.gddca.org 

Trina's Tip of the Month

Spring has sprung, and with the change of season, our thoughts turn to spring cleaning and much-needed home improvement projects. But the new balmy weather can prove not-so-sunny for curious pets-or their unwitting parents. Before you embark on seasonal chores or outdoor revelry, take inventory of potential springtime hazards for your delicate, furry friend. To help you out, our ASPCA experts have come up with a few seasonal tips that will help prevent mishaps or misfortunes. Here's a sneak peek at Springtime Safety Tips for Pets:

Buckle Up!

Dogs love good weather, too! But allowing them to ride in the beds of pick-up trucks or stick their heads out of car windows is downright dangerous. Abrupt stops or turns can cause major injury, or worse! Pets in cars should always be secured in a crate or wearing a seat belt harness designed especially for them.

Home Improvement 101

Products such as paints, mineral spirits and solvents can be toxic to your pets and cause severe irritation or chemical burns. Carefully read all labels to see if the product is safe to use around your furry friends. It is suggested that you confine your dog or cat to a designated pet-friendly room during home improvement projects.

Hot Weather

Hot weather brings challenges for your animals as it does for us. Please keep your pets protected from the heat, and make sure they have plenty of shade and water. The pavement also becomes hot and can burn the pads of their feet. Use dog shoes when walking your dogs during the day and be sure to carry water for yourselves and your pet. Dehydration happens quickly. Whenever possible, walk your animals in the early morning or after the sun is setting in the evening. And remember, in California it is against the law to leave a pet unattended in a vehicle. Car windows magnify the sun and the interior of a car can get to deadly temperatures in just minutes.

Ah-Ah-Achoo!

Like their sneezy human counterparts, pets can be allergic to dust, plants and pollens. Allergic reactions in dogs and cats can cause minor sniffling as well as life-threatening anaphylactic shock. If your pet suffers from a springtime allergy, please visit your veterinarian.

Read the ASPCA's complete article Springtime Safety Tips for Pets, <http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/pet-care-tips/springtime-safety-tips.html>  and enjoy a safe and sunny season.