[nabs-l] Guide Dog or Cane? Which do u recommend and why?

[Arielle Silverman]

Hi Haley,

When I was in high school several people from outside the blindness
world pressured me to get a guide dog before college. I also knew very
few competent blind adults who used canes, so I was pushed toward
getting a dog because I thought I needed one to be a competent
traveler. I eventually decided to delay getting a dog because at age
18 I didn't feel ready for the responsibility. After delaying for a
couple years and meeting a bunch of competent cane travelers in
college, I made that a permanent decision. I'm not sure if you too are
experiencing pressure to get a dog but if you are, I don't think that
should factor into your decision. There are many people who are happy
as guide dog users and have a great travel experience. But there are
others of us who are equally happy using a cane. I think if you want
to get a dog, it should be because you really love dogs, because you
like that style of travel, or ideally both.
For me, I chose not to for two main reasons. First, I am the kind of
traveler who needs to know what's around and be in control. If another
being is guiding me I tend to space out and lose track of where I am
going. I need to be in contact with things in the environment to keep
my bearings and be able to make confident travel decisions. However,
some people don't have that problem and they appreciate being guided
around obstacles. Second, I like my solitude and am not motivated to
have a companion all the time, plus the responsibility and stress that
goes along with it. But again, it's a personal choice and for some
people it is worth the trouble to have that special bond with a dog.
I think you can learn a lot by talking with lots of guide dog users
and seeing how well the lifestyle and travel method fits with your
personal style. But there is also the reality that you can always
switch from cane to dog, but it is harder to turn back once you have
decided to commit to have a dog. So, I would not recommend getting a
dog unless you feel you are ready and really motivated to have that
experience.

Best,
Arielle

On 10/31/13, Hannah Chadwick <sparklylicious at gmail.com> wrote:
> Haley,
> I think there are advantages to both.  A dog does give the public
> (especially in college) an opening to start a conversation.
> However, they are a lot of work.  I'm currently working my second
> dog and we're in a college environment.  The advantage to having
> a cane is that at the end of the day you can just put it away and
> not have to worry about it.  However, with a dog you have to
> water, feed, play and take them out for bathroom breaks.  You may
> have to take time out of your schedule to take them to the vet
> for emergency visits.  With all this said, I'm still glad I have
> my dog.  She is fantastic in every way possible! This decision is
> completely up to you because you will be the one responsible for
> your dog.  You have to want to do all that time consuming work,
> but I think that the end result is worth more.  I don't mind all
> the work that my dog requires because she is a delight, her work
> is great and she is a living, breathing being.  Please email me
> off list if you have any further questions.
> Best, Hannah
>
>  ----- Original Message -----
> From: haley sumner <haleysumner at sbcglobal.net
> To: nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> Date sent: Thu, 31 Oct 2013 17:05:12 -0700 (PDT)
> Subject: [nabs-l] Guide Dog or Cane? Which do u recommend and
> why?
>
>
> Hello fellow Nabsters,
> I am in the process of deciding whether or not to get a guide dog
> in about a year and a half, right before I go to college, and am
> still unsure whether i should go through with this or just stick
> with the cane.  What do you all recommend? Which do you feel is
> better travel-wise, social-wise, etc.  I am looking forward to
> hearing about your experiences and preferences.
> Thanks,
> Haley Sumner
>
>
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