[Blindtlk] NFB Guide Dog School, A Possible Scenario

[Peter Donahue]

Good afternoon Julie and everyone,
    Julie and I have had many conversations on this issue in the past so she 
knows where I'm coming from. In line with her comments below I'd like to 
suggest a possible scenario for an NFB-run guide dog program:

        Since we all ready have three orientation and adjustment centers for 
blind adults and youth there would be no need for a facility for housing 
students in training to be constructed. Hold on folks. Students wishing to 
obtain a guide dog from the NFB's program would be required to complete the 
6-9 month program at one of the centers. During the student's "Bootcamp 
training" the center has an opportunity to come to know the student 
inside-out and will be able to furnish lots of background information on the 
applicant to the guide dog unit. Unlike current guide dog programs that must 
rely on references and other information that may be true or false the NFB 
guide dog program will have all ready had accurate information gathered for 
them by the training center and can be assured that the applicant is a 
suitable candidate for a dog.

    This approach will also assure the guide dog program that the student is 
up-to-par with their cane skills and is capable of transferring them to the 
use of a dog. Students that successfully complete the cane travel component 
of their immersion training would be eligible to receive a dog. This 
approach would also permit students receiving a dog to complete other 
aspects of their immersion training minimizing the wasted time students 
often experience when at guide dog training facilities.

    Students undergoing guide dog instruction would be required to wear 
sleep shades as they do when taking other center classes and participating 
in designated center activities. Like students who undergo cane travel 
instruction at our centers those training with dogs would be encouraged to 
travel on their own prior to completion of the training. In the beginning 
they could be accompanied by an experienced guide dog user/trainer but would 
be expected to travel and complete "Monster Routes" entirely on their own 
using their dogs.

    As for the dog component of the operation I imagine it would operate 
similar to those of current guide dog programs. The program would operate 
its own breeding component or obtain suitable dogs from donations. The usual 
period of socialization and puppy raising wouldn't be that much different 
than is done by current guide dog programs. The dogs would return for a 
period of training when they're taught how to guide a blind person. Once the 
dogs are ready to be pared with their future blind owner they along with an 
instructor would be sent to the center where the student receiving the dog 
will be trained. Alternatively the NFB guide dog program could operate from 
one of our centers. Those wishing to obtain dogs once their "Bootcamp" 
training is complete would transfer to that center for training with the 
dog. Using all ready existing facilities to house students in training is 
one way to reduce the cost of training guide dogs.

    The above is just one possible scenario of how an NFB-run guide dog 
program could work but I'm sure others would have additional ideas. If it's 
to happen at all the discussion must continue at a cost of 0 to 
participants. All the best.

Peter Donahue




----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Julie J." <julielj at neb.rr.com>
To: "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, March 21, 2013 8:08 AM
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Canes and Dogs, the In-House Checkup


I think the answer to protecting the dogs is two fold.  First I would
like to see a more in depth background investigation of the blind
applicant.  Do a criminal background check, require more references, ask
the neighbors...whatever it takes.  Adoption agencies place children
into homes surely we can figure out a way to more accurately know what
sort of situation the dog will be placed into.  Secondly, I think there
are already agencies in place for dealing with animal abuse, the police
and animal control.  I don't see any reason why these agencies can't be
used in cases of neglect or abuse.

In regard to cost and the blind applicant absorbing the cost of the dog
in order to own the dog outright is an extremely valid point.  We have
to stop expecting everything for nothing.  I like the Seeing Eye's
concept of charging the student.  I do wish that the cost had increased
over the years with the cost of living.  It has been $150 since the
beginning of the school in 1928.  I think that's the right year.  $150
was a very different sum of money then and now.

I also think that guide dogs can be raised and trained for substantially
lower sums of money than $60,000.  If you look at the various guide dog
programs and how much each claims it costs to train a dog, the numbers
vary widely.  All those buildings, fancy food, excessive equipment and
other niceties cost money.

Julie


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