[nagdu] differences between caring for pets and guides

[fuehrer stacy l]

Mark, each school puts out good and bad dogs, no particular 
school has the best behaved dogs.  As far as what breeds handle 
crowds and noise, upon being excepted to whichever school you 
would choose, the team of instructors would best match you 
according to that particular environment, given you indicate this 
on your application.  Questions are asked about environments the 
dog must work in.  Some schools, such as The Seeing Eye, will 
actually come to your area and do a home interview, assessing 
your travel skills, the environment the dog will not only be 
working in, but living in as well.  Other schools are smaller and 
don't have the staff for this purpose.  As a result, they ask you 
to send in a video of your area including you traveling, etc.  
The one thing I can strongly recommend, when researching schools, 
ask lots of questions of their follw up services after you return 
home.  Will they come visit if you have issues requiring 
assistance? The Seeing Thye and Guide Dogs for the Blind do this 
for sure.
Best, this game of 20 questions doesn't bother me, that's what 
we're here for.
Stacy and London graduates of The Seeing Eye