[blparent] Guide dog questions

[Melissa Ann Riccobono]

Hello Jo Elizabeth,
Sometimes, schools will do in home training. Of course, there are some
programs that only train dogs in consumers' homes. But, even schools who
don't generally do in home training might be willing to take a look at it,
especially if you got a dog from that school in the past. This is actually
how I trained with my current guide dog. My son was young at the time, and I
was home with him during the day. I certainly could have found care for him,
and my husband was supportive, but I asked the school, in my case, Guide
Dogs for the Blind, if they ever did in home training. They told me they did
on a case by case basis. So, I told them my situation, had someone come and
visit for follow up with my old dog/interview for a new dog, and was granted
permission to do in home training. It worked very well for me. The trainer
stayed for about ten days, and I felt confident when he left. I did some
work with my son in his stroller, some work with my son on my back in his
backpack, some work with my son holding my hand and walking, and some work
without my son along. It was harder in some ways--just making the time to
really bond with the dog, and having other things going on besides just dog
training. But, it was great in so many other ways... I got to practice
routes I was familiar with, I got to introduce the dog to everyday
situations right from the start, and I didn't have to be away, which was
huge! I think a lot more schools are becoming aware of the fact that blind
people cannot always take off time for training with a dog, so you may want
to look into some type of in home program if you want to get a dog and are
worried about the time away.
Melissa

-----Original Message-----
From: blparent [mailto:blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jo
Elizabeth Pinto
Sent: Wednesday, September 25, 2013 10:14 PM
To: Blind Parents Mailing List
Subject: Re: [blparent] Guide dog questions

To tell the truth, Jodie, it might work better to train while your daughter
is young.  Mine's five years old now, and my dog is twelve and needing to
retire.  The thought of leaving her for two or three weeks to train is not a
pleasant one for either of us.  Her dad could handle the basics, but she'd
eat a lot of pizza and Wendy's and watch a lot of cartoons, I'm not sure her
school stuff would be well kept up with, and I'd hate to think what kind of
a disaster my house would be when I returned.  Plus, she'd be freaked out
over the whole thing.  I'd like to have a new dog; it definitely makes
traveling easier for me.  But I haven't figured out how it will work.  If
she were two or three years younger, it would be logistically a whole lot
easier, even though it would be hard for me to break away.

Jo Elizabeth

Truth is tough. It will not break, like a bubble, at a touch; nay, you may
kick it about all day like a football, and it will be round and full at
evening.--Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.
-----Original Message-----
From: Jodie and Kahlan
Sent: Wednesday, September 25, 2013 8:01 PM
To: blparent at nfbnet.org
Subject: Re: [blparent] Guide dog questions

I considered waiting a few more years. I never wanted to give up my third
dog, but my circumstances required it at the time. I was advised by a couple
of dog users to wait a while before getting another one, but I have a
mobility issue that my instructor feels makes a dog a necessity. TSE knows I
have a baby, so we're going to work with the dog to find out what's best for
all of us. I both need and want a new dog, so I'm willing to do whatever is
necessary to make it work for Kahlan, chris, the new dog and me.

--
Hugs from Jodie and kahlan
"Only a fool walks into the future backward."
Terry Goodkind

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