[nagdu] Re new member

[Elizabeth Rene]

Gail,

Guide dogs of America was founded by the International Association of 
Machinists and Aerospace Workers in the late forties when one of its members 
was denied admission to other guide dog schools because of his age.  He was 
around 50.  GDA has maintained nondiscrimination as a founding principle.

The harness is almost identical to GDB's, except that the shaft of the 
handle is painted white.  It's nice on both Black and Yellow Labs.  I think 
they're trying to beef up their population of Shepherds, but Labs are the 
primary GDA dog.

What I mean when I say that the school staff is collegial towards those who 
know dogs, is that they recognize the knowledge, skill, and life experience 
of seasoned guide dog handlers, and take these into account in the training 
relationship.  You have to follow the program, but may be put into an 
accelerated class, or allowed to leave a week before the first-timers. 
Bottom line, though, is that you will be treated as a responsible adult, not 
a ward under guardianship.

I trained there with my seventh dog last July, having gotten my sixth from 
GDA also and my first five from GDB.

I've found there's always something new to learn, or some old habit to 
break.

My GDA experience was fun, I love my dog, and I left with warm feelings 
toward classmates and instructors.

All that said, you might want to explore GDB's O&M program.  I think they've 
built some of that into their training program, or may offer it to those 
preparing to get a GDB guide dog.  You might want to let them know of your 
frustrated efforts to get O&M in Kansas, and they might help you as part of 
their admissions process.

Come to think of it, especially if Kansas seems no longer to have a 
department of services for the blind, maybe you can arrange a 
fee-for-services contract with your state's department of vocational 
rehabilitation to attend one of the NFB's own training centers.  I'll bet 
that cane travel is taught there!  With lessening eyesight, you might find 
that NFB's program is freeing in other ways, too.

Good luck, and happy tails!

Elizabeth