[nabs-l] NFB training centers and guide dogs

[Greg Aikens]

Kurt,
Do some dog guide schools require a 6 week program?  The one I attended and the others I checked out only had 4 week programs for first time dog users.  

-Greg
On May 8, 2011, at 9:37 PM, Kirt Manwaring 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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> 
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