[nagdu] negative experiences was Puppy raising

[Julie McGinnity]

Hi.  I've always thought that the schools, at least for the most part,
were pretty good.  Oh, they all have their flaws and faults, but they
do a great job training and preparing these dogs for us.  I've always
believed that it depends on what you want in a school.  One person may
totally love one thing about a school that someone else couldn't
stand.  It's all a matter of perspective.  One of my friends is
currently researching guide dog schools.  I'm trying to just tell her
the facts, nothing else, in hopes that she can make a decision soely
bassed on what she wants and not what other people say.  There are so
many things to consider when you pick a school.  I still kind of
compare it to picking a colege.  Of course, I know this is not
completely valid.  Honestly, I was more worried about my guide dog
school applications.  Lol!
I hope I don't seem crazy, but I think that doing the research
yourself or just asking for the facts when choosing a school might be
the way to go.  If I had heard all the thousands and thousands of
crazy stories about all the different schools before I chose a school,
I don't know if I would have had the courage to go.  You hear so many
things.  I've been telling my friend not to rely so much on hearing
stories about people's experiences because you could get caught up in
stories so much that you could forget what you really want in a
school.  That being said, I think a handler survey would be an
excellent  idea.  That could weed out the stories from the reality.
Hope I made any sense at all.

On 8/5/10, Margo and Arrow <margo.downey at verizon.net> wrote:
> I think any school can have graduates who have had bad experiences.  Humans
> run the schools; the graduates are human.  Just happens.
>
> Margo andArrow
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Julie J" <julielj at windstream.net>
> To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Thursday, August 05, 2010 6:55 PM
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] negative experiences was Puppy raising
>
>
>> Rebecca,
>>
>> I have wondered this for years.  I have noticed when someone says
>> something even approaching negative about a school, any school, a ton of
>> graduates from that particular program will chime in with how they didn't
>> experience x, y or z.  Frequently the satisfied graduate will continue on
>> with how they can't understand how the dissatisfied individual could have
>> possibly had that experience.  Then this will be followed up with a
>> suggestion to call Mr. So-and-So from the school so things can get
>> straightened out.
>>
>> While I don't have any issue with hearing both ends of the satisfaction
>> scale, it has always sort of bothered me that frequently the bad
>> experiences are discounted as someone overreacting or just being picky.  I
>>
>> don't understand why expressing your feelings about a bad experience is
>> any less valid than relating a good one.
>>
>> In reference to Dan's point about fear of repercussions from the
>> program...it makes sense, but it disturbs me greatly.  What can we do?
>> The only idea that comes to mind is some sort of Consumer Reports thing.
>> A survey of a random sample of graduates of the various programs about
>> their experiences.  Of course this would mean the schools would have to
>> cooperate.
>>
>> The GDUI school survey is an excellent tool to compare the components of
>> the guide dog schools.  Why not supplement this info with a handler
>> satisfaction survey? This would give a really thorough overview of what to
>>
>> expect.  It might also get programs with low customer service ratings to
>> improve.
>>
>> I'm just chock full of ideas lately. LOL
>> Thoughts?
>> Julie
>>
>>
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-- 
Julie McG
 Lindbergh High School class of 2009, participating member in Opera
Theater's Artist in Training Program, and proud graduate of Guiding
Eyes for the Blind

"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