[nabs-l] NFB training centers and guide dogs

Mon May 9 03:01:02 UTC 2011

Wait.. now that you mention it, what am I doing here! lol

On 5/8/11, Kirt Manwaring <kirt.crazydude at gmail.com> wrote:
> Knoledgable?  Intelligent?  What the heck am I doing on here if those
> are the qualifications?  *smile*
>
> On 5/8/11, Darian Smith <dsmithnfb at gmail.com> wrote:
>> And that's  the beauty of list serves, plus knolageable, intelligent
>> individuals, who will give thoughtful and honest  feedback.    I love
>> the student division! :)
>>
>> On 5/8/11, Kirt Manwaring <kirt.crazydude at gmail.com> wrote:
>>> To all,
>>>   Thanks for the thoughts and info.  Honestly, I'd prefer to get a dog
>>> after CCB but, the thing is, it's not often that a six week block of
>>> time conveniently opens up...and I happen to have that kind of time
>>> this summer.  So, if I'm going to get a dog within the next year or
>>> so, soon is probably the best time...I know it's not ideal, I know it
>>> would probably be better if I did it the other way around, but I just
>>> wanted to get peoples' thoughts because I'm considering the idea.  I
>>> appreciate all of you giving me your honest opinions because I've not
>>> yet made up my mind and any info I get, especially from people
>>> familiar with the process, helps.
>>>   Warmest regards,
>>> Kirt
>>>
>>> On 5/8/11, Martha Harris <latinanewschic at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>> Hi Kirt,
>>>> I attended BLIND, Inc. last year with my lab Dee. I'm not sure if my
>>>> info
>>>> is
>>>> right, but I think at CCB you are allowed to have the dog for four hours
>>>> and
>>>> the cane for the other four. At BLIND, Inc. I was allowed to work her to
>>>> and
>>>> from the center as well as at lunch and the breaks, but she was crated
>>>> during classes. If you get a dog before you attend training, I'd suggest
>>>> practicing leaving your dog alone where you live now, because it will
>>>> help
>>>> when the dog is separated from you. For the first day or two, she whined
>>>> sometimes, but she got used to the routine. Before I went, I was
>>>> strongly
>>>> considering not going to an NFB center because of the dog policy. I was
>>>> afraid my dog would lose her skills and not be useful to me anymore.
>>>> That
>>>> did not happen. Working in the city was a great environment for her. As
>>>> long
>>>> as you go places after school, the dog can get enough work. We always
>>>> had
>>>> to
>>>> go grocery shopping or to the bank, or we spent time going to dinner,
>>>> hiking, whatever activity you find enjoyable, and you have the dog all
>>>> weekend. If you are there during convention time, you can work your
>>>> guide
>>>> there as well. What other questions do you have about guide dogs at NFB
>>>> centers?
>>>> Also, when it is your time, like when you travel and are not going to
>>>> convention, center activities, or staying in the town where the center
>>>> is,
>>>> I
>>>> think you can use whatever cane you want. On one of the breaks from
>>>> training, I flew to Pennsylvania to see friends, and I worked my guide
>>>> dog
>>>> and had a telescoping cane in my bag. Oh, a tip for training, it is
>>>> always
>>>> a
>>>> good idea to carry a telescoping or folding cane because you never know
>>>> when
>>>> your straight cane will break. Mine broke when we did a center activity
>>>> going to the Minnesota state fair, and it is no fun to be stranded.
>>>>
>>>> HTH,
>>>> Martha
>>>>
>>>> --------------------------------------------------
>>>> From: "Kirt Manwaring" <kirt.crazydude at gmail.com>
>>>> Sent: Sunday, May 08, 2011 5:22 PM
>>>> To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
>>>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>>>> Subject: [nabs-l] NFB training centers and guide dogs
>>>>
>>>>> Dear list,
>>>>>  I'm thinking of attending the CCB sometime soon.  I'm also going to
>>>>> try out using a guide dog and, if I find it beneficial, will probably
>>>>> go through the process of getting one.  So my question is this.  Is it
>>>>> ok to bring a guide dog to an NFB training center?  I mean, I know
>>>>> that during my official day-time lessons I'd just need to use a
>>>>> cane-and I'm fine with that.  I think the worst thing I could do, if I
>>>>> get a guide dog, is let my cane skills slip.  But would there be any
>>>>> problems, aside from logistics I'd have to work out, with bringing a
>>>>> guide dog to a training center?  Anyone done it?
>>>>>  Warmest regards,
>>>>> Kirt
>>>>>
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>>>>>
>>>>
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>>
>>
>> --
>> Darian Smith
>> Skype: The_Blind_Truth
>> Windows Live: Lightningrod2010 at live.com
>> Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/goldengateace
>>
>> "The purpose of life is a life of purpose.
>>
>> — Robert Byrne
>>
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-- 
Darian Smith
Skype: The_Blind_Truth
Windows Live: Lightningrod2010 at live.com
Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/goldengateace

"The purpose of life is a life of purpose.

— Robert Byrne