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

Fri Nov 1 13:07:35 UTC 2013

I'm really glad Minh pointed this out because I had totally forgotten 
it. I also got O'mally after I was already in college--my campus wasn't 
huge, but it was larger. If you are really spacial, it helps to know 
where stuff is before the dog because you will still need to be 
oriented. I just transferred to a new college with O'mally and it was a 
bit harder for me to figure stuff out sometimes--even if the campus is 
smaller. I found that taking my cane out and walking around a bit was 
really useful in getting an idea of where I am.

Also Kert, for me that's one of the bonuses to a guide. If I'm learning 
a new area and need to find landmarks, you can "heel" your guide (just 
have them walk next to you and not work), and just use a cane you can 
carry around to find a specific landmark--perhaps a bench next to the 
bus stop or something. Then you can pattern your guide to find that 
specific bench. It's the best of both worlds--you evade all the stuff in 
your way while being able to tell them which specific things to find.

Someone else already mentioned leashes and bowls--you will need to buy 
bowls and toys and food, the school gives you a leash. I've had O'Mally 
for about two years now and I don't really need another leash--I know of 
a lady that had about 5 guides and just kept using the same leash. A lot 
of schools also help with vet costs (if the finances are an issue with 
you, this might be something you think about when choosing a school), as 
well as flea and heartworm medications. There are other little things 
you need to do for your guide, but like I said if you have a bit of 
extra money it's well worth it. O'Mally might cost $45 a month usually 
with the random toy or something every once in a while as a bit extra. 
That's less than my phone bill--and a cost I don't really mind at all.
On 11/1/2013 2:22 AM, minh ha wrote:
> 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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>

-- 
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.