Guide Dogs of the Desert (founded by the Cathedral City Lions Club) is a public, nonprofit corporation funded by corporate and private donations. Guide Dogs provides, at no cost to the student, a specially trained dog with all the necessary equipment, twenty-eight day training program at the school and post-graduate assistance for the working life of the team.

GDD improves the lives of the blind by creating opportunities for life-changing independence, and by conducting community outreach and education programs.

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 blind with special needs. 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.

Guide Dogs of the Desert provides safe mobility, loving companionship and the "miracle of independence" to the blind through the use of a guide dog.

Website: http://www.guidedogsofthedesert.com