[nabs-l] Over Night College Visit

[Ashley Bramlett]

Lizzy,

I agree with Joshua. I'm a cane user btw.
You seem unsure of handling your new dog in a new environment.
I would leave your dog at home and let your family care for him or her.
It’s a brief time so it should not mess up
any working time you have.

I think it will be less stressful and easier for you to navigate the campus 
with just your cane. You can have more tactile contact with surfaces then. 
You'd also have to plan to take your dog out to relieve him or herself and 
you don't know where that is.

I would also be concerned about what  you said regarding the dog's behavior. 
Remember you want to present a good professional appearance. Points are 
that:
1. the dog  is very excited around new people. Keep in mind you are meeting 
all new very important people.
2. Her behavior is unpredictable. I believe a dog would be a distraction in 
such a situation when visiting a class.
3. The dog is sniffy in new environments and it interferes with her work.
4. You might offend people with the dog's untrained behavior.

I have to say that I've seen new guide dogs act like you describe and it 
bothers me. I want to enjoy myself especially if I'm at a restaurant. But 
when I have dogs sniffing or licking me, its offensive. I do not! want to 
have dog saliva  on me when food is around. I do not want it on me if I 
cannot wash my hands. I do not want dogs rubbing against me because it can 
get dog hair on my slacks when I'm out and the dog hair shows.
Now, do I like dogs? Yes, yes. I like dogs to play with in the yard or at a 
house when I'm dressed down. But when I'm dressed in slacks and a nice 
blouse, the last thing I want if a sniffy dog at my side or a dog licking 
me.

There are plenty other times to work with and train your dog without going 
to the campus with her at this time.
I think you two need to work together more and you have a chance to train 
and correct her so she exhibits more of a guide dog behavior.
So, I'd keep the dog home. You can always revisit
campus with your dog if you decide to go there.

Speaking from experience, I find it offensive when guide dogs lick me. Now, 
if they are off harness its fine; they are just a dog then and not working. 
But when in the harness, I expect them not to bother me.

Finally, if you choose to take your pooch, tell the campus. You should be in 
a room with someone who isn't alergic to dogs.

Ashley



-----Original Message----- 
From: lizzy
Sent: Sunday, November 10, 2013 10:44 AM
To: nabs-l at nfbnet.org
Subject: [nabs-l] Over Night College Visit

Hi All,
I usually just read the outstanding advice given on this list,
but now I am in need of some help.  I am currently a senior in
high school going not for my first college visit, but to my first
over night visit and it is at my number one choice school.  To
all of the guide dog users, I've had my lab for about three and a
half months now but I'm still undecided about if it would be fair
and easier to take her with me on this trip.  My reasons are that
I don't know the campus and so she would probably be doing a lot
of following (which I know everyone has their own opinions
about).  I've taught her things using the cane but it has usually
been pretty simple (a specific doorway, bus stop etc) so I'm not
sure if it'll work for this or not (since I'll be all over
campus).  Also, her behavior is slightly unpredictable (typically
she is very excited around new people and she is very sniffy in
new places which interferes with her work and doesn't make her
look like a trained dog).  I will be sitting in on a class, doing
an interview, meeting with the department chair and rooming with
a current student and I'm afraid she might offend someone who
doesn't like dogs or vice versa someone may see me give a
correction and be upset by it.  I haven't requested any
accommodations because I don't really think I'll need any since
I'll be there for less than twenty-four hours.  But is there
anything I'm forgetting? Should I tell them ahead of time about
the dog (if I decide to take her)? Any tips you all could give
would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Lizzy

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