[nagdu] Guide Dogs of America
Robert Stigile
rstigile at sbcglobal.net
Tue Jan 12 04:32:02 UTC 2010
Hello Jessica,
Good luck, and let us know what happens.
Thanks,
Robert Stigile
e-mail: rstigile at sbcglobal.net
----- Original Message -----
From: Jessica Pitzer <rolosgirl at gmail.com
To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog
Users" <nagdu at nfbnet.org
Date sent: Mon, 11 Jan 2010 18:10:38 -0800
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Guide Dogs of America
Update!
I talked with Andi via email today, and I'm pinceled in for the
April
11th class.
It appears it will be a 3 week retrain class at this point but
that
isn't confirmed.
This week she will be contacting my references, and doctor which
shouldn't take to long and we will be doing my video later this
week,
probably a walk to the bus stop and then something down town I
haven't
decided what yet.
After that she says next week or the week after an instructor
will
call and talk with me baout everything and then I'll find out for
sure
about everything.
I'll keep you all posted but that's what i know right now.
I did send them my wish list for what kind of dog I'd like btu I
was
very open about saying I'm open to whatever they think is a good
match.
Later,
Jessica
On 1/11/10, Linda Gwizdak <linda.gwizdak at cox.net> wrote:
Julie,
I've only seen GDA dogs here in California although, I'm sure,
they have
graduates in other states. Yes, they are a small school. they
train about
6-12 students on class. I don't know how many classes they have
per
year.They have a small campus in Sylmar, CA. They do their city
training in
Los Angeles - including their subway! LA had no subway when I
went to GDA.
The school is smaller than GDB and larger than GDD that's Guide
Dogs of the
Desert. GDA - Guide Dogs of America - started in the late 1940s
by an older
man with the Machinists Union. He was a worker in that union
and he became
visually impaired. At that time, most schools refused to take
older people
for their first guide dog. So the man and his union started
their own
school! they are small and cozy with lots of individualized
attention from
the instructors. Alot of their training is in the city of San
Fernando, and
in Sylmar.
I don't know what changes have occurred there sinse I was there
in 1990. I
did see one of their graduates today at a craft class but didn't
really talk
to her - I assist a deaf volunteer in her helping people who are
learning to
knit.
HTH!
Lyn and Landon
----- 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: Monday, January 11, 2010 4:15 AM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Guide Dogs of America
Thanks! It's a small school and rarely comes up on the list. I
admit I
know nothing about GDA. So if the people who have GDA guides
would like
to share on list I would love to read about your experiences
too.
Julie
----- Original Message -----
From: "Linda Gwizdak" <linda.gwizdak at cox.net
To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog
Users"
<nagdu at nfbnet.org
Sent: Monday, January 11, 2010 1:08 AM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Guide Dogs of America
Julie,
I was a graduate of GDA in 1990. I know two people here in San
Diego who
have GDA dogs and they are happy with their dogs and the school.
I know
there are some listers who have GDA dogs - hey guys, talk to
Jessica!
(grin!)
Lyn and Landon
----- 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: Sunday, January 10, 2010 1:58 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Guide Dogs of America
Jessica,
Holy cow! You've had some insane dogs. I agree biting is way
over the
line in what is acceptable. Boxers are by nature very high
energy, so
I doubt it was just that particular one. But biting, I
absolutely could
not deal with.
I hope GDA is just what you are looking for. I don't know of
anyone who
has gotten a dog from there. Could you ask them to put you in
touch
with a graduate? That seems reasonable to me.
Hopefully there is someone on the list who will be able to
provide more
info.
Julie
----- Original Message -----
From: "Cindy Ray" <cindyray at qwest.net
To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog
Users"
<nagdu at nfbnet.org
Sent: Sunday, January 10, 2010 3:02 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Guide Dogs of America
Some of the questions, of course, are relevant only for
information.
For
instance, I know that my school does most if not all of what you
are
asking
and does have set commands. But as for dog/cat
distractions,they are
something that I am continually having to work on with the dog.
If they
get
serious, I may need to have them send someone out to help me.
There is
always the potential for a bad match. What policy does Guide
Dogs of
America
have on ownership? Is there a fee? Where do they get their
support?
Those
are more questions that could be of importance. Do they have
their own
stock
or do they get the dogs in other places? Not sure why GDB would
be too
big.
They have two campuses, but the class size would be similar, or
are you
just
concerned about paper pushing and the like? Just curious. I
think it is
good
to ask questions.
Cindy Lou
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jessica Pitzer" <rolosgirl at gmail.com
To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog
Users"
<nagdu at nfbnet.org
Sent: Sunday, January 10, 2010 2:37 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Guide Dogs of America
No, I received my first and second dogs from pilot dogs. I
choose not
to return because when I went their the first time I had a dog
that
continuously bit my hands and arms and was not controllable,
then I
got a chocolate lab who developed a skin disorder, and chased
our cats
and in working when she saw a cat or dog she'd lunge, and then
stop
working altogether. Then I got a boxer who had horrible
behavior,
biting, and way way to much energy so have decided a better
school
with a better reputation would be good for me. GDA tells me
they have
kennel cats test the dogs with cats, do intelligence
disobedience,
more in the matching process, etc. all of which Pilot didn't
do.
I just wanted to know the answers to those questins for general
info
and to get others experiences. I also wanted a school that
wasn't
across country so being near seattle, that gave me GDB, GDDI and
GDA,
GDB is jsut to big for my liking, GDDI had a 2 year waiting list
and
when I called GDA, Andi was so nice, and helpful it just seemed
the
perfect place.
Jessica
On 1/10/10, Cindy Ray <cindyray at qwest.net> wrote:
Is this your first dog? If not, where have you gotten dogs
before?
Cindy Lou
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jessica Pitzer" <rolosgirl at gmail.com
To: <nagdu at nfbnet.org
Sent: Sunday, January 10, 2010 1:24 PM
Subject: [nagdu] Guide Dogs of America
Hi,
I'm wondering if there is any GDA graduates amongst us.
If so, I have questions.
You can either answer here or send me a private email, or add me
to
msn at rolosgirl at gmail.com
1. Did you keep a blog of your experiences.
2. Does your dog have any issues with cats?
3. Can you describe your harness, AKA how it releases the belly
strap,
any reflectors, how the handle connects, etc.?
4. What did you like and dislike about the school?
5. How long did you wait to get in?
6. Did you feel your dog was a good match?
7. Any recommendations for going there?
8. Can you give me an overview of the facilities, common areas,
rooms,
etc.?
9. Can you describe to me what happens from when you get there
until
you get the dog?
10. Can you describe dog day to me and how they introduce the
dog to
you, what happens after that up until your first work out?
11. Are there any hallmarks of the program, AKA visits to
specific
places that always happen?
12. Was your dog well trained in all types of environments?
13. How does your dog do with food distractions?
14. How about cat/dog distractions?
15. What all commands are used.
16. How is your dog at home? Do you use a crate, tie down,
both?
If I think of more questions I'll post them but these are the
ones i
have right now.
I'm doing the application process now, hoping for an April or
July
class. I've asked for a female yellow lab, we'll see!
Jessica
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