[nagdu] Quick Question

Tue Apr 26 01:32:55 UTC 2011

Hi Mark,
I think you should familurize yourself with the campus before you get a dog. 
This is just my oppinion but traveling with a dog is different than 
traveling with a cane. Also if you feel comfident that you know your way 
around, it will make things easier on the dog. Remember the dog is not going 
to know the campus you are, it's going to be your job to teach the dog the 
campus. I don't want to discourage you but the first couple of month with 
your new dog are challenging. I think if you like challenges, the two of you 
will be fine. It will get difficult sometimes just be positive and you and 
your guide dog should be fine, that is  if you decide to get one. Maybe you 
should consolt your mobility instructor to ask him/her what you should do. 
I'm sure you will get lots of advice from the list.  Whatever you do hope it 
works out

-----Original Message----- 
From: Mark J. Cadigan
Sent: Monday, April 25, 2011 6:12 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Quick Question

I still don't know if I am going to go get a dog. I know that if I was to go
get a dog I would be able to take care of it and make it work. What I don't
know is would it be more beneficial to spend a year and know the campus cold
before getting the dog, or will the month I will be spending on the campus
this summer with a mobility instructor be sufficient. After that, I will
know the routes I will need on the first day of school but, still won't be
familiar with the entire campus. I basically want to do what's best for the
dog and what will simplify things the most. It is a huge campus covering the
Beacon Hill and government center areas of Boston. I know people feel
strongly both ways.

I wish I could have some data to crunch. If only there was a survey of
people that got there dog before freshmen year, and people that waited and I
could compare some data.

Thoughts?

Mark

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Sheila Leigland" <sleigland at bresnan.net>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, April 25, 2011 7:59 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Quick Question

> If you believe you are ready to get a dog go for it and have a great time.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Mark J. Cadigan <kramc11 at gmail.com>
> Sent: Monday, April 25, 2011 2:04 PM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users 
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Quick Question
>
> Good news is I am not much of a party person. In fact, I can't stand crazy
> parties with all the noise and crowds. I am also 19 so a bit older than 
> you
> were when you started college for the first time. I am an early riser
> anyway, so the taking the dog out in the morning won't be a problem. I am
> normally up at 6:00 except those days when it is noon. Lol. But those are
> not often.
>
>
> Mark
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Julie J" <julielj at neb.rr.com>
> To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Monday, April 25, 2011 10:07 AM
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Quick Question
>
>
>> 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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>
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