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

Fri Nov 1 15:36:11 UTC 2013

Tyler,
Fair enough. Different strokes for different folks, I guess. I'm just constantly relying on all that stuff that is "in the way", so for me that's something I wouldn't want to give up, even partially. Especially since I like to travel a lot and that often puts me in areas where I have never been before it all. But, and I say this with full sincerity, i'm glad you found a method that works better for you and I have no business trying to tell anybody else that the way I travel is superior to the way you travel but I know plenty of dog users Who won't give me that same courtesy and say things like our friend James did about long white canes, only referring to dogs instead. I appreciate that you aren't doing that. Thank you.

Sent from my iPhone

> On Nov 1, 2013, at 7:07 AM, "Littlefield, Tyler" <tyler at tysdomain.com> wrote:
> 
> 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.
> 
> 
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