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California Guide Dog School Loses Operating License

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 2, 2004

SACRAMENTO — The operating license of Guide Dogs of the Desert International has been suspended, California's State Board of Guide Dogs for the Blind said today.

The suspension, effective immediately, was triggered automatically when the Palm Springs school, which has trained dogs for the visually impaired since 1972, lost its licensed instructor. Under California law, a school must have a state-licensed instructor on staff in order to operate.

"It's regrettable that the school is having problems that impact consumers," said Allan Brenner, the President of the Board, which licenses guide dog training facilities in the state. He noted that Guide Dogs of the Desert International is one of only three schools in California to provide that service.

The two remaining schools, Guide Dogs of America in Los Angeles and Guide Dogs for the Blind in San Rafael, have offered to help Guide Dogs of the Desert International graduates who need assistance while the suspension is in effect.

The State Board of Guide Dogs for the Blind,within the California Department of Consumer Affairs, promotes and protects the interests of guide dog users, regulates fund-raising practices and licenses both guide dog schools and instructors.

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