Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance® Pet Foods is helping to support guide dogs through their work with Guide Dogs of the Desert.

For 35 years, Guide Dogs of the Desert has provided high quality guide dogs and individual instruction to the blind, the elderly blind and the blind with special needs, so they may live a more mobile and independent life.

Guide Dogs of the Desert serves blind individuals throughout California, Arizona and Nevada, as well as from throughout the United States and Canada.

Guide Dogs of the Desert was founded in 1972 by Mr. Lafayette "Bud" Maynard with the goal to provide quality guide dogs to the blind and the multi-handicapped blind. He began by training students one at a time from his home. With the help of the Cathedral City Lions Club, Guide Dogs of the Desert was incorporated and licensed under California State Law and the Department of Consumer Affairs.

Approximately 300 volunteers provide a wide range of support services for Guide Dogs of the Desert. Over 120 individuals from Alaska to New England to Florida are serving as volunteer puppy raisers for our school at any given time. All of the services are provided free of charge to the blind.

At right is Dick Van Patten when he visited Guide Dogs of the Desert and took a walk with one of their certified Guide Dogs.

Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance Pet Foods provides food and support for Guide Dogs of the Desert. Pick up a specially marked bag of Natural Balance dog food with this sticker (below), and you can help, too!