[nagdu] Quick Question

Mon Apr 25 14:07:26 UTC 2011

Mark,

I never had a guide dog at college.  The first time I went to college I was 
17 and just out of high school.  I enjoyed staying up late, sleeping even 
later, staying with different friends and their parents on the weekends, 
going to parties and generally enjoying myself.  Having a new dog in that 
situation would have been a disaster.  I had no regular schedule, only 
stayed at my dorm room weekdays, was constantly running around visiting new 
places and new people.

Then several years later I went back to college.  By then I was married and 
had Kiddo.  I could have easily fit a guide into life then.  I lived in an 
apartment, had a regular routine,  and was much more settled. I actually had 
three pet dogs then.

At both colleges I attended there were other students that had guide dogs. 
One was a younger student with questionable orientation skills.  the other 
was an older gentleman who had good skills.  Both seemed to be successful 
with their dogs at college.  I think the difference was in their willingness 
to put the dog before parties and other random college craziness.

It's all you though.  Best of luck in whatever you decide!
Julie

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mark J. Cadigan" <kramc11 at gmail.com>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, April 25, 2011 8:17 AM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Quick Question

> Thanks for all the responses thus far. They are providing food for 
> thought.
>
>
> Mark J. Cadigan
> Kramc11 at gmail.com
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "PICKRELL, REBECCA M (TASC)" <REBECCA.PICKRELL at tasc.com>
> To: "'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'" 
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Monday, April 25, 2011 8:34 AM
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Quick Question
>
>
>> Mark,
>> How do you feel on this subject and why do you feel a given way?
>> I got my first dog shortly after high school. She started college with me 
>> and completed it with me too.
>> Looking back, I don't know that it was the right call.
>> I had a few friends that could not adjust to me having a dog. 
>> Irronically, now that I am no longer using a dog, these people are back 
>> in my life. One friend and I had the breakup from hell. The dog was only 
>> part of the reason why. We are friends again and looking back, I'm sorry 
>> for all the time we lost. I have missed him.
>>
>> My rationale for getting my dog when I did was that everybody I met would 
>> know me as having a dog and could either accept or reject the package.
>> Looking back, I'm not sure this is logical. We all change over time and 
>> friendships change over time.
>>
>> I'd almost urge you to wait, but this is only because of my experience. 
>> Interestingly enough, I met my husband when I had a guide dog. He isn't 
>> really a dog person and we still got together. So if you're not sure, I'd 
>> wait.
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On 
>> Behalf Of Lisa Irving
>> Sent: Sunday, April 24, 2011 4:32 AM
>> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Quick Question
>>
>> Mark,
>>
>> I applaud
>> your maturity, your willingness to seek feedback.
>>
>> As an incoming freshman you will incur many new responsibilities. It's a 
>> lot
>> of work to be a college student. It's work whether you are blind or 
>> sighted.
>> The fact of the matter, it's even more work when you are blind. Keep this 
>> in
>> mind as you weigh your options.
>>
>> I think back to when I was a freshman, back in the 80s.  I think I could
>> have handled caring for my guide dog. What I likely would have had 
>> trouble
>> with is not letting my dog become everyone's toy. I think I would have 
>> had
>> difficulties living in a dorm and setting boundaries with room mates.
>>
>> There are a lot of us on this list who want to see you be successful as a
>> student as well as being a guide dog handler. Both are huge jobs that 
>> take
>> determination, consistency and some tenacity.
>>
>> Lisa and Bernie ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: "Mark J. Cadigan" <kramc11 at gmail.com>
>> To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Saturday, April 23, 2011 8:09 AM
>> Subject: [nagdu] Quick Question
>>
>>
>>> Hi all. This is Mark with a quick question. Feel free to respond either 
>>> on
>>> or off list. I will be attending college at Suffolk University as a
>>> freshman in Boston this September. I have been accepted to attend the
>>> Seeing Eye July class. My question is, should I get a dog now, or should 
>>> I
>>> defer it for a year and go to the training the summer before soft more
>>> year. I can see the merits of both, and just curious as to your 
>>> thoughts.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
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>>
>>
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>
>
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