[nagdu] different schools

[Wayne Merritt]

Speaking of follow up services, one of the Seeing Eye field trainers
called me last fall to follow up on my recent match from September of
2008, and see how things were going. At length in the phone call, he
said that the school asked him to contact me, which he did, but he
said that he didn't think I was having any problems. Indeed, I wasn't,
but still I appreciated his call. Many of the issues that I had
experienced with my dog in the initial 2-4 months had been ironed out
by this point, and I can look back on that first few months as just
apart of the adjustment and transition period for both my dog and me.
The Seeing Eye is the only school I've been too, but they have a
family atmosphere and genuinely care about you as a handler and the
dog. Not to say that other schools don't, but I think that this is a
sign of a good school. I run into them when I go to conventions and
the like, since they always send several representatives that will
take the time to catch up with you and are there to help and assist
with any issues you may be having at the time. I know I can always
call them with any problem or question I have, or just to give them a
hard time, which I have done a few times with the person in
Admissions, grin.

Wayne

On 2/20/10, fuehrer stacy l <precious1205 at charter.net> wrote:
> Jessica, best of luck on getting a guide dog! Smile.
> I have received 3 dogs from Seeing Eye, and, I can tell you they
> do give you ownership upon leaving class.  Some of the other
> schools you mentioned, GDF and Leader I know for sure, have
> ownership for the first 1 to 2 years, before ownership is turned
> over to you.  Another big thing to consider in your research is
> follow up servicces, especially if you live quite a distance from
> the school, for example, halfway across the country as I do.
> Seeing Eye will visit you anytime it's needed, no matter where
> you live.  They travel throughout the States and Canada to visit
> graduates.  Some of the smaller schools, such as GDA and SEGDI,
> are too small to provide these services to graduates who live
> everywhere.
> All of the schools can put out a bad match, none of them are
> perfect.  My first dog and I ended up not working out, but it was
> no fault of anyone.
> If you have further questions, feel free to write me offlist.
> Best, do keep us posted.
> Stacy and London
>
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