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

Sat Nov 2 17:13:40 UTC 2013

Thanks everyone for your input, recommendations, and advice.

Sent from my iPhone

> On Nov 1, 2013, at 4:41 PM, Julie McGinnity <kaybaycar at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> Hi Haley and all,
> 
> I agree with what has been said in previous posts.  As someone who
> chose to get a guide dog while still in high school, I know what it's
> like to decide when to get the dog.  I know there are students(maybe
> even some on this list) who have gotten guide dogs the summer before
> entering college, but I decided against it.  When you get a dog, you
> will spend the first 6 months or so working on your bond with the dog.
> You and the dog will be learning about each other.  You will make
> mistakes because you are a new dog user, and the dog will test you.
> Of course, this doesn't mean that you won't be successful.  It just
> means that you will have some work to do.  I found the work rewarding,
> but it's up to you whether or not you want to pursue this path before
> entering college or even at all.
> 
> Yes, a dog can be a wonderful conversation starter, but I agree with
> the others.  You not only need to develop the strength to tell
> people(even people in authority) no if they ask to pet, if you decide
> that you don't want people petting your dog while it is working, but
> you need to be aware that you will be stared at and talked about
> wherever you go.  This happens as blind people anyway, but with a dog,
> it seems more frequent or more obvious.  I don't mind this...  As a
> performer, I figure I should get used to being watched.  Lol  That is
> up to you of course.  You also should be aware that while most people
> will move from asking you about the dog to discussing topics outside
> the world of blindness and dogs, others will not, and that can be
> somewhat annoying.
> 
> I think the others covered everything else, except I believe there are
> programs for high school students to go to guide dog schools for two
> weeks or so in the Summer and test out a guide dog.  I think Seeing
> Eye has one, which is like a mock training program for a week or two.
> I don't know where you live, and I don't know how these things work,
> but they are meant for teenagers to see if they would like to apply
> for a guide dog some day.  As far as I know Seeing Eye, Guiding Eyes
> for the Blind, and Leader Dogs have programs like this, but I could be
> mistaken.  Let me know if you would like me to help you do research
> into something like that.  I am also a board member of the National
> Association of Guide dog Users, so if you need any help with anything,
> please feel free to email me off list.
> 
> 
> 
>> On 11/1/13, Lillie Pennington <lilliepennington at fuse.net> wrote:
>> I  should have clarified that. I meant more along the lines of advocacy,
>> meaning in the sense of telling others that they can not pet the dog while
>> it is working, that sort of thing, along with advocating for the dogs rights
>> if say you are told you cannnot bring the dog someplace where ADA says it
>> can be done. Although this does not happen today as much as it used to,
>> these situations still arise and you need to be able to make your case in a
>> clear, firm but respectful way. There was probably a better term for the
>> social skills thing.
>> 
>> Sent from my iPhone
>> 
>>> On Nov 1, 2013, at 11:55 AM, minh ha <minh.ha927 at gmail.com> wrote:
>>> 
>>> I agree that social interaction should not be the only motivating
>>> factor in a person getting a dog, but what does social skills have to
>>> do with anything? If I was a reclusive person that doesn't like to
>>> interact with other people, as long as I have the necessary travel
>>> skills, then it really doesn't matter whether or not I have the
>>> ability to socialize.
>>> 
>>> Minh
>>> 
>>>> On 10/31/13, Lillie Pennington <lilliepennington at fuse.net> wrote:
>>>> Hi. I have similar views of Kurt, although it is a personal choice.
>>>> However,
>>>> another point that I do not think anyone has brouht up is the use of the
>>>> dog
>>>> in social situations. Yes, the dog may attract conversation. However,
>>>> this
>>>> should not be the main motivator in getting the dog, and the dog should
>>>> not
>>>> blatantly be used for these purposes. I thinnk there needs to be a good
>>>> amount of social skills, as well as travel skills, but that is just ;my
>>>> personal opinion.
>>>> 
>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>> 
>>>>> On Oct 31, 2013, at 9:03 PM, Kirt <kirt.crazydude at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>> 
>>>>> 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
>> 
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> 
> 
> -- 
> Julie McG
> National Association of Guide dog Users board member,  National
> Federation of the Blind performing arts division secretary,
> Missouri Association of Guide dog Users President,
> and Guiding Eyes for the Blind graduate 2008
> "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that
> everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal
> life."
> John 3:16
> 
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