[nagdu] Guide Dogs of America

Wed Jan 13 21:53:27 UTC 2010

No, i live in Washington State. I just got a digital video recorder
today so will be able to email my video tomorrow I am so excited after
that, its just the references and doctors report and phone interview.
*cheers*
Jessica

On 1/13/10, Linda Gwizdak <linda.gwizdak at cox.net> wrote:
> Hi Julie,
> I had gone to another school - GDF -  before settling on The Seeing Eye.  I
> always wanted to go to TSE from the start but at that time they didn't
> accept students with some usable vision.  Then they changed that policy
> sometime in the 1980s.  I was never comfortable with a contract which GDF
> had.  That's why I didn't return there when I was finally able to go to TSE.
> Then my first dog from Seeing Eye wasn't really suited for the work -
> something TSE watches out for now. then I moved to California.
>
> When my TSE dog had to have an early retirement, I applied to the three CA
> schools.  GDB turned me down because they listened to untrue things about me
> and my dog handling.  At that time TSE was using some corrections no longer
> used by them and corrections that the CA schools didn't like - and some
> local guide dog users didn't like either.  I was accepted by GDA and GDD.
> GDA offered me a class sooner than GDD so I went there.
>
> I have to admit that in 1990, I had NEVER flown cross country alone - just
> little short flights from Boston to either Long Island or New Jersey.  I was
> afraid to do it alone then.
>
> After my GDA dog retired, I gave her to a friend who moved to another state.
> My dog was for her husband as she had a GDA dog herself.  then they moved
> back to San Diego.  Meanwhile, she gave up her GDA dog and kept the harness.
> She used the harness on my retired dog so she could take the dog with her on
> the bus.  The "busy-bodies" who sucessfully got me denied at GDB, came to
> life again and told GDA  and GDB that I gave this woman my retired guide so
> she could then use the dog.  And further, I gave her a harness to do this!
> I gave the dog to her husband and I sent my harness back to the school by
> mail after I retired the dog!
>
> The Director Of Training of GDA, upon hearing this story, came to SD
> unannounced to our blind center where we were having craft class.  He took
> both me and the woman outside to chat about this.  He saw the GDA harness
> she was using - it was the new style one and not the same kind as I had been
> issued.  After our chat, he seemeed to be satisfied that I said I had
> nothing to do with the woman's actions, took the harness back and left.
>
> A year later, after I healed from an injury that forced me to send my Eye
> Dog Fooundation dog back, I re-applied to GDA and GDB as I was not happy
> with the training at EDF.  I was turned down by both citing as the reason
> that I had given this woman my retired dog for her to use and that I gave
> her a harness to do this!  They said I VIOLATED the contract!  I had no
> control over what someone else did with my retired dog!!  So, as I found,
> you are bound by the contract even if you no longer have the dog!  You're
> supposed to euthanise the dog in order to ensure that the contract won't be
> violated???!! This is why I will NEVER go to a school with a contract!
>
> Shortley after this fiasco, the woman decided that she could no longer keep
> the dog and the dog was returned to me.  I gave her to my sister-in-law and
> that's where the dog lived out the rest of her life.
>
> It was an understatement to say I was VERY upset by this turn of events.
> This all did come back to "bite me". I was so upset at the people involved
> that I kept it secret that I decided to reapply at TSE.   I decided that I
> had no reason to be afraid to fly cross country alone!  I decided to go back
> to SEeing Eye, was accepted and flew on my own without any problem and I
> have since flown back and forth many times fear-free!  I also had to keep it
> a secret that I was even reapplying for a new dog at Seeing Eye.  The cat
> was let out of the bag when I left for class and everyone wondered where I
> was!  I swore my sister to secrecy and she could tell people where I was
> after I left! Further, I told TSE about what happened and I left them a list
> of names of the troublemakers and this list still resides in my TSE records!
> When they tried to cause me more trouble, TSE blew them off!
>
> The interesting thing about all this is that the people at both GDA and GDB
> KNOW what kind of handler I am as I see them at events from time to time and
> they've seen me handle my dogs!  I have no respect for organizations that
> pay more attention to malicious rumorsmongering by a couple of disgruntled
> people who were really jealous of me for whatever. The ringleader of this
> has moved away and this nonsense has stopped.  this same small group has
> tried their crap on another local dog user as well but failed to do any harm
> to her.  My question is: Why were these people more credible than I was? I
> never got that answer, either.
>
> Interestingly enough, I will still see these trainers from GDA and GDB at
> guide dog or blindness conventionns and they are very cordial towards me!
> (grin!)  I am cordial with them  However, I never received an apology!
> That's OK, I will NEVER apply to these schools again and I will stay with
> TSE as long as I can still use guide dogs!  They have ALWAYS shown respect
> and integrity towards me. There is respect both ways and I didn't have this
> with the California schools.
>
> This isn't meant to bash any school.  This is my own experiences with them.
> These two schools do put out good dogs and people are very happy with them -
> I have no problem with that.
>
> Hope this answers your question, Julie! (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: Tuesday, January 12, 2010 9:48 AM
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Guide Dogs of America
>
>
>> Thanks!  I read their survey info from GDUI.  According to that they place
>>
>> about 50 dogs per year and the class limit is 10 students.  They also
>> state that they offer their services in the entire U.S. and Canada.
>>
>> If you don't mind, what made you decide to get your successor dogs from
>> TSE?
>>
>> 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 6:33 PM
>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Guide Dogs of America
>>
>>
>>> 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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>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
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>>>>>>>
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>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>>
>>>>>
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