Watch a ‘drive-thru puppy handoff’ as future guide dogs go to foster families

Thirteen puppies headed off to new foster homes Monday in Southern California to grow up a little before they start training to become guide dogs for the disabled, KNBC reports.

But with social distancing guidelines still in place to fight coronavirus, Guide Dogs of America in Sylmar had to change things up a bit with a “drive-thru puppy handoff,” according to the station.

A video posted by the organization to Facebook shows families in face masks pulling up as masked and gloved workers pass pups to them through vehicle windows.

Guide Dogs for America trains dogs for people who are blind, visually impaired and veterans, along with people who have autism, the organization said in an email to McClatchy News.

All services are provided at no cost to the individual.

Future guide dogs are placed with foster families when they are 8 weeks old, the organization says. They learn basic obedience, proper house manners and how to remain calm and confident.

When the dogs are 14 to 18 months old, they return to Guide Dogs of America for formal training, the organization says.

This story was originally published May 5, 2020 at 2:50 PM with the headline "Watch a ‘drive-thru puppy handoff’ as future guide dogs go to foster families."