Guide Dogs For The Blind - Professions And Vocations Generally - Business & Professions - CA

Section § 7200

If someone claims to be a guide dog instructor without the proper knowledge, skills, or employment by an accredited guide dog school, they could face a fine or penalty. This includes using titles like 'guide dog instructor' in ads or on business materials without actual qualifications.

Any person who uses in any sign, business card, or letterhead, or in any advertisement, the words “guide dog instructor,” “certified guide dog instructor,” or any other terms or letters indicating or implying that he or she is an instructor trained in the utilization or training of guide dogs for the blind, or who represents or holds himself or herself out as a guide dog instructor, without having knowledge of the special problems of persons who are blind or visually impaired and being able to teach them, being able to demonstrate the ability to train guide dogs with which persons who are blind or visually impaired would be safe under various traffic conditions, or being employed by a guide dog school certified by the International Guide Dog Federation, or a successor entity, is subject to a fine or civil penalty.

guide dog instructor blind training advertising

Section § 7201

This section defines key terms related to guide dogs and their training. A 'guide dog instructor' is someone who teaches blind or visually impaired people how to use guide dogs or handles the business of training and providing these dogs. A 'guide dog' is a dog that helps these individuals, and the term is used interchangeably with 'service dog' in this context.

For purposes of this chapter:

(a) “Guide dog instructor” means a person who instructs or trains persons who are blind or visually impaired in the use of guide dogs or who engages in the business of training, selling, hiring, or supplying guide dogs for persons who are blind or visually impaired.

(b) “Guide dog” means a dog that has been trained or is being trained to assist blind or visually impaired individuals. For purposes of this chapter, “guide dog” is used to describe a “service dog.”

guide dog guide dog instructor visually impaired

Section § 7202

This law requires guide dog schools in California to provide an annual list of their trainers and instructors to the Department of Consumer Affairs by September 1 each year. The department will not charge any fees for collecting this information.

A guide dog school shall submit to the Department of Consumer Affairs on or before September 1 of each year a list of all trainers or guide dog instructors employed or contracted by the school. The department shall not charge a fee for the collection of this data.

guide dog school Department of Consumer Affairs trainer list