Veterinarians have a tremendous opportunity for collaborating with professionals of allied health professions. The National Academies of Practice includes 10 allied health professions, all contributors to the successful development of a blind person ~ guide dog team. The development and matching of guide dogs has become more challenging in the 60 years that Guide Dogs for the Blind has existed. Dogs must be temperamentally and physically sound and function in an array of environments. On September 11, 2001, one of our school’s guide dogs calmly and successfully guided a blind handler down 78 flights of stairs following the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. Thus, it is imperative that our school continues to promote both excellent nature (genetics) and nurture (socializing, raising and training) in our puppies and dogs–understanding it takes both to fulfill our mission.