[Blindtlk] The Dog Dilemma

[Graves, Diane]

Thanks so much for your response Julie. Do those of you who have previously used canes and now are using dogs find that you walk more quickly with your dog than you did with a cane?


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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-----Original Message-----
From: blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Julie J.
Sent: Thursday, June 23, 2011 11:12 AM
To: Blind Talk Mailing List
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] The Dog Dilemma

Diane,

You have gotten some excellent information.  I have taken advantage of 
the opportunity to try out various demo dogs at conventions.  I think to 
date I have gone on four of these walks.  My curiosity isn't so much to 
find out what it is like to work with a guide dog, I have a dog that I'm 
pleased with, but I wanted to know what the differences were among the 
programs.

Something I wanted to mention about going on these demo walks is that 
the programs bring one dog for many, many people to try out.  that's 
fine, but it means that that particular dog would not be the right match 
for many of the people working with him.  I tried out a lovely      lab 
who was way too slow for me and had no pull into the harness.  for some 
people he would be perfect, for me it was very difficult to keep to the 
slower pace and follow his lead with the very light pressure in the 
harness.  what I'm saying is that a test walk with a guide will give you 
a general idea of what it might be like, but your own dog will be 
matched closely to your needs and will most likely be different from the 
test dog.

Each program teaches stairs and curbs a little bit differently.  some 
dogs will put their front feet up on a curb or bottom step, so you can 
know how high it is or find the hand rail.  Some programs teach step 
refusal, which is very similar to what Marion was describing.  the dog 
is taught to react differently to one step vs. several.  Some dogs are 
taught to indicate the handrail to the handler if one is available.  
Some dogs are taught to brace the handler on steps, if the handler has 
additional disabilities like balance problems.

You might also consider joining the NAGDU list.  there are a couple 
hundered folks who would love to answer your questions!

Best,
Julie



On 6/21/2011 8:31 AM, Graves, Diane wrote:
> 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 mi
 nor 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
>
> Confidentiality Notice: This E-mail transmission may contain confidential and/or legally privileged information intended only for the individual or entity(ies)
> named in the E-mail address. If you are not the intended recipient, be advised that any unauthorized disclosure, copying, distribution, or acting in reliance
> upon the contents of this E-mail is strictly prohibited. If you have received this E-mail transmission in error, please reply to sender to arrange for the return and proper delivery of the transmission. Subsequently, delete the message from your system immediately.
>
>
>
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