[nagdu] schools

[Bob Hicks]

Hi Julie.  Just got back to this computer.  No, that is not a typo.  Amos is 
still relatively young(4 in June) and he carries the weight well, but we 
really need to lose at least 20 lbs somewhere.  We switched to Purina 1 
weight control food this week and I hope we can get back to some long walks 
here as the weather breaks.  He is still in a "large" Pilot harness(they 
won't give us an extra large!  grin).  Amos runs and plays with are two 
boxers like he is a pup, but they jump over the pond(small decorative pond) 
much more lithely than Amos!  I think Monty will be great.  take care

Amos & bob

Sincerely yours,

Bob Hicks,
The Seeing Hand Association, Inc.
<bob at seeinghandassociation.com>
304-232-4810
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Julie J." <jlcrane at alltel.net>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, March 04, 2009 3:46 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] schools


> Is that a typo?  Amos is really 120 pounds?  Holy cow, I thought my dog 
> was huge.
>
> Julie
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Bob Hicks" <bob at seeinghandassociation.com>
> To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Wednesday, March 04, 2009 8:11 AM
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] schools
>
>
>> Hi Katie.  Amos is a black lab.  He is a great dog.  Yes, he finds things 
>> and is fairly accurate.  He can find our car in the mall parking lot if I 
>> get started some where near the right rowe! grin.  Pilot does not teach 
>> the "follow" command as Leader does.  Amos learned to follow in a couple 
>> or three trips to the mall with my wife.
>>
>> The Pilot facility is fairly basic, but it is comfortable and sufficient 
>> for my needs.  There were 6 handlers in my class with 3 trainers.  We 
>> occasionally had a fourth trainer and her supervisor join us.  As a 
>> second timer and only there for 2 weeks, we all had the basic skills down 
>> pat, so I expect it was a good group for a new trainer to work with.  At 
>> Leader Dogs in 1979, my trainer was a first timer and so was I and it 
>> worked out fine. At Leader Dogs we were close to Detroit, but we never 
>> went downtown. At Pilot dogs, you are in or on the outer edge of the big 
>> city and I think this made for a different level of comfort.  I am a 
>> small town guy and I don't dig big cities, so Broad Street in downtown 
>> Columbus was a bit overwhelming(8 lanes wide), but very good training.  I 
>> liked Leader and Pilot, but they are different!  Good people and trainers 
>> at both schools. Amos is considerably larger than Nicholas was and I like 
>> that.  Amos and I both need to loose wait!  grin, but Amos is just under 
>> 120 lbs and Nicholas was 65 lbs.  HTH
>>
>> Sincerely yours,
>>
>> Bob Hicks,
>> The Seeing Hand Association, Inc.
>> <bob at seeinghandassociation.com>
>> 304-232-4810
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: "Katie Mawby" <katiem at iserv.net>
>> To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Saturday, February 28, 2009 1:35 PM
>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] schools
>>
>>
>>> Hi Rachel and Bob,
>>> As Pilot graduates, I'm hoping you can help me with some questions.
>>> My name is Katie, and I am retiring my Leader Dog and will be replacing 
>>> him this Spring.  I have applied to both Guiding Eyes and Pilot.
>>> Could you tell me about your experiences at Pilot?
>>> What breed of dogs do you have?  Did you get to select your dogs and the 
>>> desired breeds?  How long was your training and how many students in 
>>> your class/ratio to instructors?  Are your dogs able to target or find 
>>> objects such as elevators, doors, empty seats, etc?
>>> I appreciate any info you would like to share.
>>>
>>> Thank you,
>>> Katie
>>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>>> From: "Rachel and Rhett" <serenityangel1983 at gmail.com>
>>> To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
>>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Friday, February 27, 2009 8:27 PM
>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] schools
>>>
>>>
>>>> Hi, Bob.
>>>>
>>>> I'm not sure if we're the only Pilot graduates on the list. Have a good 
>>>> weekend.
>>>> Rachel and Rhett
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>>>
>>>
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>>
>>
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>
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