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

Fri Nov 1 06:22:32 UTC 2013

Haley,

People have given you amazing advice regarding whether or not to get a
guide, but I just want to add that you should seriously think about
when would be an appropriate time for you to do so. Before entering my
freshman year of college last year, I was very insistent on getting a
guide to ease my transition to college. For various reasons, that
didn't work out and I am extremely glad I didn't have a dog to take
care of while I was struggling with adjusting to college. Freshman
year is really hard for most people and I don't think I could have
handled the stress of a dog as well as the myriad other demands of
campus life. That being said, I went to GDB over the summer and got my
first guide, Viva and she has dramatically made it easier to travel
around my campus and the surrounding city. Also, don't worry that youd
on't know how to take care of a dog; the guide dog school will give
you all the skills you need in order to effectively take care of your
guide. I only had cats before I started working with Viva.

Cheers,
Minh

On 11/1/13, Kirt <kirt.crazydude at gmail.com> wrote:
> Justin,
> At the risk of adding fuel to the fire, Tyler has a very good point. His
> cane users, we can talk about canes all we want… I, for instance, don't have
> any qualms at all explaining why I like my cane and why it works so well for
> me personally that I've pretty much entirely ruled out getting a dog, though
> I did consider it at one time. However, I don't really think it's right for
> me to tell people how guide dog school's work, or what it's like using the
> dog, beyond perhaps relaying things I've heard from competent dog handlers
> and making it clear that this isn't an area with which I have any experience
> or expertise. Imagine if you had a coworker Who maybe was friends with a
> couple blind students in college or high school, and this person started
> telling your boss what it's like being blind, even with you in the room. Do
> you think that would bother you, even a little bit?
> Best,
> Kirt
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>> On Oct 31, 2013, at 10:43 PM, "justin williams"
>> <justin.williams2 at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> I'm not the only cane user who has answered questions.  Mind your own
>> business.
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: nabs-l [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Littlefield,
>> Tyler
>> Sent: Thursday, October 31, 2013 10:54 PM
>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Guide Dog or Cane? Which do u recommend and why?
>>
>> Justin:
>> If I remember correctly, you said you do not have a dog. If this is the
>> case, please refrane from answering questions when you have had no
>> experience. She is already confused enough as is--random input from people
>> with lack of said experience isn't helpful.
>>
>> Haley, the school will indeed teach you some of what you need to know. A
>> lot of it though comes from time with your dog and experience. The schools
>> usually also have support lines and there are lists where you can ask
>> those random questions that pop up--undoubtedly there will always be
>> someone who can help out and you'll have your support center.
>>
>> I also wanted to mention since I forgot to in my last post that a guide
>> dog is by no means a replacement for a cane. You will still need good
>> mobility skills in order to utilize a good dog. Just wanted to mention
>> that is all--I'm sure you already figured that out.
>>
>> HTH,
>>> On 10/31/2013 10:33 PM, justin williams wrote:
>>> The school will teach you everything you need to no.
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: nabs-l [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Haley
>>> Sumner
>>> Sent: Thursday, October 31, 2013 10:32 PM
>>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>>> Cc: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Guide Dog or Cane? Which do u recommend and why?
>>>
>>> I love dogs, but have never had one of my own. So I have to learn
>>> everything in order to independently take care of the dog on top of all
>>> of the stress. I'm trying to weigh all of the positives and negatives to
>>> see what is best for me.  Thanks for all of your suggestions :-) are
>>> there any guide dog lists that I could join?
>>>
>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>
>>>> On Oct 31, 2013, at 9:28 PM, "justin williams"
>>>> <justin.williams2 at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> There is no one way that is superior.  I am a cane user, and I don’t
>>>> know if I will get a dog or not.  At this time, I don't have the extra
>>>> funds to feed and care for it.  I could adapt to using one just fine,
>>>> but the cane ain't broke, so why fix it at least for right now.   The
>>>> question I have for you is, are you an individual who would like a dog
>>>> as a travel buddy, companion and friend?  They are wonderful, and if
>>>> handled skillfully, are great at their job and are a wonderful addition
>>>> to the life or their owner.
>>>>
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: nabs-l [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Kirt
>>>> Sent: Thursday, October 31, 2013 9:03 PM
>>>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Guide Dog or Cane? Which do u recommend and why?
>>>>
>>>> Haley, I am the cane user and, while I have not ever experienced a guy
>>>> dog, i'm pretty convinced that I'll stick with my cane for the rest of
>>>> my life unless something drastic happens to change my mind. It just
>>>> works very well for me… And, you know that saying about if it ain't
>>>> broke then why fix it? That being said, I don't think either method of
>>>> travel is inherently better than the other, it's entirely a matter of
>>>> personal preference and style. That being said, I would strongly suggest
>>>> that you have good travel skills and are competent with the cane before
>>>> you even consider getting a dog. Again, canes x are not superior to dogs
>>>> in and of themselves… but the majority of people I know get dogs do it
>>>> because their travel skills are not up to par and, like it or not, I dog
>>>> probably won't fix that problem. I would strongly encourage you to get
>>>> quality training with the structured discovery travel method and then
>>>> decide what works best for you at that point. If that happens to be a
>>>> dog instead of a cane for the majority of your travel, more power to
>>>> you. Just make sure you are a competent traveler before you make that
>>>> decision.
>>>>
>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>>
>>>>> On Oct 31, 2013, at 6:05 PM, haley sumner <haleysumner at sbcglobal.net>
>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> 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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>>
>>
>> --
>> Take care,
>> Ty
>> http://tds-solutions.net
>> He that will not reason is a bigot; he that cannot reason is a fool; he
>> that dares not reason is a slave.
>>
>>
>>
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"All men dream, but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty
recesses of their minds, wake in the day to find that it was vanity:
but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act on
their dreams with open eyes, to make them possible." T. E. Lawrence