The Veterinary Financial Assistance Fund (VFAF) is a new pilot program that helps active Seeing Eye® teams with the cost of veterinary care for their working Seeing Eye dogs. It provides need-based support for routine and chronic care, as well as emergency care for all.

According to Consumer Price Index data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the cost of veterinary services rose roughly 67% over the last decade, far outpacing general inflation. The Seeing Eye Board of Trustees has made it a strategic priority to remove economic barriers and ensure guide dog partnerships remain accessible as everyone faces rising costs for veterinary care.

The VFAF pilot rolls out in two phases in 2027. The need-based routine and chronic care program will begin on January 1, 2027, and emergency care for all will begin on June 1, 2027. 

Eligible teams can receive up to $750 USD towards routine and chronic veterinary care. Routine care includes preventatives (flea, tick, and heartworm prevention), wellness exams, approved vaccines and nail trims. Chronic care covers ongoing, non-emergency non-elective veterinary care. You choose how to apply the subsidy. For example, if you use a lower-cost preventative, you can direct the remaining funds toward another need, such as medication for your dog.

Routine and chronic care support is available to active teams with a total annual income below $75,000 USD.

Beginning July 1, 2027, all active teams may apply for help with emergency veterinary care if their working Seeing Eye dog is affected by an unforeseen emergency. The annual maximum benefit is $5,000 USD per active Seeing Eye dog to be paid directly to the veterinary care provider. There is no income requirement for this category.

A Seeing Eye staff member will be on call after hours.

The Seeing Eye encourages graduates to have pet insurance or an emergency fund for their dog. However, pet insurance is not required, even if your dog is eligible for a policy. We know that not every dog may qualify for insurance due to pre-existing conditions.

For Seeing Eye dogs that have pet insurance, the VFAF is available to help with the costs that insurance does not cover. We are not an insurer, and we do not pay insurance premiums. For insured dogs, a graduate would use insurance first, and the fund can help with remaining eligible costs.

The VFAF pilot program is designed to support active, working Seeing Eye dogs.

Routine dental care can be covered under the routine and chronic care pilot program.

We will begin accepting applications for need-based routine and chronic care in December 2026 and more information about that process will be shared at that time.