[Blindtlk] The Dog Dilemma

[Graves, Diane]

Greetings Federationists,

I posed this question on here a few weeks ago, and didn't get any responses, but the question was included in a response that I sent to another thread, so I'm thinking that maybe it was missed somehow by those who would have had the answer. Anyway, I wanted to give it another try.

For years now, I have been toying with the idea of getting a guide dog, wondering if it would be a good fit. But I have a lot of questions and concerns. Anyway, I've been waffling. It's kind of like having children I guess, there are a lot of things to consider before you take on the responsibility. There are other considerations In terms of practicalities, such as the space a dog takes when traveling by car, the cost of veterinary bills and so forth.

Anyway, my question is whether they ever have events at the convention where you can get some actual hands on experience with a dog and how it might feel to walk with one? I would really hate to make such a decision and then realize that I had made a mistake and have to send the dog back, do you know what I mean?

One of my major concerns, in terms of travel, one which I have never been able to get a satisfactory answer to is how flights of stairs and curbs and so forth are negotiated. When I have asked a fellow Federationist  here who is a long time user, I am told that, when her dog comes to a drop off, it will stop and then she just sticks her foot out and sees that there is a step there and just goes for it. That doesn't quite feel right to me, because I don't know how you know exactly what you are dealing with. When I come to a drop-off with a cane, I can extend my cane and tell whether we have a flight of stairs, whether it is a single step, whether the steps are narrow, whether it is a high curb, or a seemingly huge drop-off... I can also extend the cane to the left or right to see whether there is a banister. I am told that dogs tend to take steps really quickly. I am not particularly agile, and don't do steps quickly. It's a bit unsettling to think of a dog dragging me down the steps.

Anyway, I would really like to get these, and other questions answered before I  decide to "take the plunge."  Otherwise I probably won't. There are other ways in which a dog would be really beneficial. For instance, they are doing a lot of construction around my work place now. My understanding is that the dog would help me avoid such things, take me around the debris and relieve me of the stress and frustration that comes with trying to negotiate the mess. When traveling alone, especially at night, the dog might serve as a deterrent to those who were up to no good. We all know, of course, that the dogs are not trained to attack and protect, but most of the general public doesn't know that.  They think that they are so trained, so would be more apt to leave you alone. At times when an area is devoid of landmarks, a dog would help ease those frustrations as well.  There are other advantages that I see as well, but before I take on the added responsibilities, expenses and minor inconveniences, I really want to be relatively sure that the tradeoffs will be worth it. Does that make sense?

Any information would be appreciated.

Thanks,
[cid:image002.gif at 01CC2FF2.8517C3A0]

Diane Graves
Civil Rights Specialist
Indiana Civil Rights Commission
Alternative Dispute Resolutions Unit
317-232-2647

"It is service that measures success."
George Washington Carver

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