The Foundation

Founded: 1972

Our Foundation is under the supervision of the Swiss state. Our annual accounts and activity reports are examined every year by the Federal Department of the Interior in accordance with their legal responsibility, art. 84 para. 2 of the Swiss Civil Code.

The Foundation is run by a board of trustees composed of at least 15 members.

Staff: 35 employees, totally 28.8 fulltime.

Our mission is:

• to breed, rear and train guide dogs for the blind
• to introduce and provide after-care for guide dogs for the blind and the visually impaired in Switzerland and, where feasible, in neighbouring regions across the border
• to cooperate with other schools for guide dogs in Switzerland and abroad as well as with the international umbrella organisation,  „International Guide Dog Federation"
• to support the interests of the blind and the visually impaired so as to improve their mobility in everyday life

Guide dogs on active service 2008

156 working units: 137 in Switzerland, 12 in Germany, 5 in France and 2 in Austria.
 

Financing of the guide dogs

More than 80% of the school’s costs are financed by donations, financial contributions of all kinds and – gratifyingly – by a growing number of legacies and inheritances.
The Swiss invalid insurance scheme (Invalidenversicherung = IV) pays the school a monthly rental fee of CHF 350.- for guide dogs on active service.
Other funds come from the sale of promotional items (shop).
The school receives no state subsidies of any kind.

All the services offered are free of charge to the blind and the visually impaired.

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