[nagdu] Drop-offs

[Nicole B. Torcolini]

GDB no longer does drop offs; however, they used to.  I believe that, when 
they did, it was optional.  They probably had trainers posted along the 
route.  What they do now a lot is a bus to lounge route.  The difference, 
though, is that you are not only told where you are but also given specific 
directions.  Trainers are posted along the route to offer help if you get 
absolutely desperate or, more likely, to distract your dog.  I personally 
have never done a drop off, but I think that it would be fun.  It certainly 
emphasizes the fact that you, and not the dog, are responsible for deciding 
where to go.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jenine Stanley" <jeninems at wowway.com>
To: "'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, March 09, 2009 7:52 AM
Subject: [nagdu] Drop-offs


Someone asked me recently which schools still do "drop offs" where they
drive you around a familiar area until you are basically lost then turn you
lose to return to the lounge or van or whatever is the agreed upon landmark.

The person asking was mortified that this was actually done at some schools,
including the one from which she obtained her dogs, obviously prior to her
time there though.

So, I'm pretty sure GDB still does this for most students, correct? What
other schools currently do "drop offs"?

If you've done one of these recently, would you care to share your feelings
about them?

I can tell you GDF does not do "drop offs", not since I have been attending
class, 1990, unless it was an individual instructor's practice for some
students. They may have done it in the past though.

Personally, I see great value in doing this if appropriate preparation is
done in advance. I'm a fan of solos too though.<grin>

I do recall in my very first class at Pilot, our instructor did such a "drop
off" route, letting us out on a street, not telling us its name but telling
us to follow our dogs because they knew where  they were and how to get back
to the school. It was only three blocks straight back but whew, that trust
exercise was harrowing but good in the end. I've never done another one and
have always wondered how people feel about them.

I completely understand and appreciate anyone who has serious anxiety about
"drop offs". Believe me, I hate being lost or feeling as if I may be lost.
So no judgment calls on liking or disliking such training exercises.
 Jenine Stanley
jeninems at wowway.com


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