[nabs-l] Over Night College Visit

Sun Nov 10 22:49:37 UTC 2013

Good afternoon everyone,

    I have had four guide dogs including two from The Seeing Eye. None of 
the guide dog programs I have had experience with measure up to my standards 
of what a quality guide dog training program should be and what it should 
expect of its teams when they leave. I've observed many of the same problems 
others spoke of on this list. I and others believe that many of them could 
have been addressed in training. It's for this reason that unless I find 
myself traveling more in the future I have serious doubts about whether I'll 
seek a replacement for my current dog Johnny when he retires. One thing that 
would change my mind about going all cane is if the NFB were to start its 
own guide dog program. Lizzie's situation is a symptom of an underlying 
problem with every last guide dog program in this country! As a consumer of 
services for the blind I'll set my standards and expect those from whom I 
seek such services including guide dog training schools to meet or exceed 
them and urge others to do the same.

Peter Donahue

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Littlefield, Tyler" <tyler at tysdomain.com>
To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list" 
<nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, November 10, 2013 3:01 PM
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Over Night College Visit

Peter, have you ever had a guide?

On 11/10/2013 4:00 PM, Peter Donahue wrote:
> Good afternoon Ashley and everyone,
>
>      If the person in question cannot handle their dog especially in new
> situations one wonders how they managed to graduate from guide dog 
> training.
> If the guide dog program had done its job well its students should leave
> being able to handle their dogs in new situations with ease.
>
> Peter Donahue
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Ashley Bramlett" <bookwormahb at earthlink.net>
> To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Sunday, November 10, 2013 2:53 PM
> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Over Night College Visit
>
>
> 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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-- 
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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