[blparent] A quick guide dog question

[Joy Wolf]

Hi:

Well, I think there are two answers to this question.  The first is one of
those not really realizing what you have until it's gone kind of things,
lol.  I did use leash guiding a lot without even thinking about it.  So,
although I knew it was valuable, I didn't know just how much I valued it
until I did not have that option.  Having said that, the main reason I
switched schools was a simple lack of communication.  I think GDF is an
outstanding school who puts out wonderful dogs, but at the time I was
re-applying for a guide there were a ton of changes going on there, and
there was next to no communication between grad services and
current/prospective students.  I guess I just thought that more follow-up
and in the field assistance was something I wanted, and as a larger school
GDB certainly has that.  Hth.

Joy and family

-----Original Message-----
From: blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Pickrell, Rebecca M (TASC)
Sent: Tuesday, May 04, 2010 1:50 PM
To: NFBnet Blind Parents Mailing List
Subject: Re: [blparent] A quick guide dog question

It does. 
Given that you've found real value in leash guiding, why did you switch
from a school that teaches it to one that does not?

-----Original Message-----
From: blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org]
On Behalf Of Joy Wolf
Sent: Thursday, April 29, 2010 9:09 PM
To: 'NFBnet Blind Parents Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [blparent] A quick guide dog question

Sigh, finally a moment to sit down and answer your leash guiding
question,
lol.  I will say that this too could be a very individual thing.  Let me
give a couple examples of when it has been very convenient and even
safer
having my dog willing and able to leash guide.  Once at my
mother-in-law's
home, we were out in the back yard, just hanging out enjoying the
weather.
I like to let my guide just hang out with us, so I did not have her in
harness.  She was on leash since the yard is not fenced, and was just
lying
beside me.  My mother-in-law went inside for something, and my son
picked
that very moment to take a nasty fall! Now, usually he gets up and runs
to
me, and since he didn't you can imagine my complete panic.  I stood up,
told
Delia forward and find Jaden, and we were there in a second.
Fortunately,
it was not as serious as I had feared, but what if it was? My
mother-in-law
has an absolutely huge back yard.  I wasn't going to call my kids back
to me
every tim e she stepped in the house, after all I could hear them.  But
navigating her yard would have been slower if I couldn't just pick up
and
go.  Another example is chasing my kids at our local park, one of the
few
places that is easy to get to, not on any busy roads, and has equipment
I
feel isn't too dangerous for my daughter who has a bone condition.  So
maybe
it's just me, but if I've already got the leash in my hand, which I
should,
and the kids are running and I want to be right there with them, it's
just a
bit of a time saver rather than stopping each time to grab the harness
handle or keeping it in my hand, which gets uncomfortable for me due to
an
old injury.  I would say the most surprising situation where I used
leash
guiding as it relates to my kids was a trip to the city.  Absolutely
nerveracking without any problems, as I had to try and hold onto and
keep
track of two kids while we visited the children's museum.  I was coming
back
to the train station with two kids on my right and the dog on my left
when
the harness strap broke.  Just broke! I was absolutely horrified! What
was I
going to do now and how to get my kids home safely? The answer was leash
guiding.  I had Delia take me all the way back to the train station that
way, and we made it in 1 piece, lol.  I guess I personally just like to
have
that option for those times when life's unexpected challenges come up.
I
really loved my experience at GDB where I got my current guide, but can
honestly say I will be a bit torn as to what to do when Galette retires,
which I hope won't be for many years.  Let me know if I answered your
question or totally missed, lol.  Have a great weekend.

Joy and family



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