Guide Dogs of America (GDA) is a non-profit organization whose mission it is to transform lives through partnership with service dogs. GDA breeds raises, and trains guide dogs for blind/visually impaired individuals and service dogs for veterans and children with autism. Guide or Service Dogs provide recipients with increased independence, mobility, and confidence.

GDA does not charge guide and service dog recipients or their families any fees for services, which include: a guide/service dog and instruction in their use from our experienced trainers, room and board at our campus for the 7 or 21-day instruction period, a specially designed harness or jacket, follow-up care, vet care from our facilities and travel expenses.

Guide Dogs of America relies on generous donations from individuals and groups. One of SCS Elevator Products’ goals for 2021 was to find ways to give back that also fit our core values and mission. Our East Coast Regional Sales Manager, Brian Hilfrank, founded GDA and suggested the partnership.  “Partnering with Guide Dogs of America seemed like the perfect opportunity to support a great organization and connect us back to our history as a company”, says Hilfrank.  SCS Elevator Products started in the mid-1970s as Stencil Cutting and Supply Co. by Robley G. Cook, a visually impaired individual who used the services of a guide dog, recognized the need for directional braille signs to help visually impaired people navigate the
world around them. He identified the elevator industry as the primary market for his braille sign products, and the rest, as they say, is history. 

With a puppy sponsorship, SCS has provided funds that will cover all expenses from the time the puppy is 8 weeks old until it returns to campus for formal training at age 15-18 months.  “Puppy raiser” families are carefully screened foster families and individuals who teach the puppies proper house manners, basic obedience, and experience that will give them the skills and confidence needed to navigate in the real world.

As of November 2023, SCS Elevator products have sponsored the training of two service dogs Kona, born summer of 2021, and Orbit, born July 2023. Click on either Kona or Orbit to see their journeys so far or follow us on Facebook by clicking here for the latest updates.