In 1948, Joseph Jones Sr., a retired member of the International Association of Machinists, worked with the union to unions to establish International Guiding Eyes. Jones had gone blind at age 57 and existing guide dog schools wouldn't enroll him because they said he was too old. He went to his union's executive council, which researched the matter and decided there was a need for guide dogs not being met by existing schools.

Today, Guide Dogs of America provides free training to the partners—dog and person—Union membership is not required.