[nagdu] work. school. energy and time
PICKRELL, REBECCA M (TASC)
REBECCA.PICKRELL at tasc.com
Fri Jan 7 13:44:47 UTC 2011
Hmm, I don't know. The walking for me wasn't a problem. It was more the learning how to work with a new dog who felt different then my old dog. I found that very difficult. I think getting my first was easier because I *didn't* have those expectations.
Also, I had far more responsibilities both at home and professionally then I did the first time. When I got my first dog, I was fresh out of high school. I missed my friends and that was a big deal at the time. By the time I got my second dog, I was married, had a home and a job. I found leaving all that very difficult and being away from it very difficult, both emotionally and practically.
At this point, I wouldn't leave my job and family to get a dog. I realized when I got my second dog that my husband needs me more then we realized. And my daughter certainly needs me.
The upshot is that actually *being* home with a second dog is a lot easier. My friends and family knew that guide dogs aren't "fully trained" so they were more open to the learning curve.
-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Marsha Drenth
Sent: Thursday, January 06, 2011 3:25 PM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Subject: [nagdu] work. school. energy and time
This brings up an interesting point. If some people have the option of
working, or if they are students while in class, all depends on if they will
get the necessary work done. I wonder that if its for your second dog or
third or fourth, wonder if it matters how much time or energy you have.
With my first guide, I was so tired by the end of the day. I had no time for
anything. It was physically and emotionally exhausting. For my second, Emma,
I guess it was not nearly as bad. I knew what was expected of me. I knew how
much walking was involved. Of course at the time I didn't have huge huge
responsibilities at home. I found it much more enjoyable and less stressful.
So those of you who have trained with your second, third, fourth and or more
pups. Could you work or be a student at the same time as training? What was
your energy level like after a long days worth of training?
I don't really have a point to the questions, more curious than anything.
Well I guess, my point is, to those new users, it does get better.
I have been working on school work too long, I can't write a understandable
sentence if my life depended on it, LOL
marsha
-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of GARY STEEVES
Sent: Thursday, January 06, 2011 2:14 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Question about taking off work to go get a guide dog
Hello Mike:
I probably represent the worse case scenario. I'm a contract social worker
which means I have no paid leave. the best I can do is work extra days to
create a buffer for hours as long as I'm on budget targets at the end of our
fiscal year. This means I probably lost about half a months wages. Luckily I
was able to work extra days in the couple of months leading up to my class
date. I'm a part time worker which also makes this possible. I also set
things up so I could do some work remotely on the computer but, too be
honest, I only billed for about 8 hours. I found myself usually wiped out
after the class day ended and by the time I talked with my girlfirend and
did a bit of blogging I didn't have any energy for real work. I was
surprised how tired I was at the end of each day.
Too me, it seems wrong for people to have to use up their holidays to go and
do something that is so important and not a holiday. Not too mention, having
some holiday time during the first 3 months with the new puppy is probably
good for both of you.
Gary
----- Original Message -----
From: "PICKRELL, REBECCA M (TASC)" <REBECCA.PICKRELL at tasc.com>
Date: Thursday, January 6, 2011 10:48 am
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Question about taking off work to go get a guide dog
To: "'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'"
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Mike,
> Nosy question here but did your policy at GDB require employees
> to get a GDB dog?
> I also had my time count as training. If your company teaches
> anything that a person could use at home i.e. Excel, then you've
> got a good case.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org]
> On Behalf Of Michael Hingson
> Sent: Wednesday, January 05, 2011 9:35 PM
> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Question about taking off work to go get a
> guide dog
>
> Hi Tonia,
>
> You raise an interesting question many of us have faced. I
> worked at Guide
> Dogs for the Blind for more than six years and even there we
> were presented
> with this issue. When an employee needed to get a new
> guide the first
> inclination of HR was to charge leave. After some
> discussion HR decided to
> require the use of vacation time. Most of the blind
> employees felt that
> since using a guide dog was necessary and invaluable for travel
> that we
> pushed back and said that getting a guide dog was like any other
> educationor training that an employee needed for their
> job. Of course, the education
> was emphasized at GDB due to the fact that the particular
> employee and all
> of us worked there.
>
> After further research the HR department acquiesced and in fact
> agreed that
> obtaining a guide dog was relevant and a reasonable
> accommodation for its
> blind employees and thus not only did not charge leave but paid
> regularwages while the employee was getting a new guide
> dog. The employee, for
> their part, did some work during off hours.
>
> I have heard of other employers taking this same position.
> There is not, to
> my knowledge, any specific law president which makes the GDB
> approach a
> certainty, but I suggest marshaling your thoughts and forces and
> take the
> position that this particular training and education is good for
> your job.
> Since you are in a rehabilitation arena I would think you could
> make a good
> case.
>
>
> Mike Hingson
>
> The Michael Hingson Group, INC.
> "Speaking with Vision"
> Michael Hingson, President
> (415) 827-4084
> info at michaelhingson.com
> To learn more about my upcoming book, speaking topics and speaking
> availability please visit www.michaelhingson.com
> Thunder Dog is now available for early ordering on Amazon!!!
> http://www.amazon.com/Thunder-Dog-Blind-Triumph-
> Ground/dp/140020304X/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1289090352&sr=1-3
>
>
> for info on the new KNFB Reader Mobile, visit:
> http://knfbreader.michaelhingson.com
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org]
> On Behalf
> Of Tonia Gatton
> Sent: Wednesday, January 05, 2011 6:03 PM
> To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
> Subject: [nagdu] Question about taking off work to go get a
> guide dog
>
> Hi all! My name is Tonia and I am a long time
> federationist. After
> procrastinating for many years, I recently applied to get a
> guide dog from
> the Seeing Eye. I actually had my home visit this
> afternoon and I'm hoping
> to go for training this spring or summer. I'm so excited!
> Anyway, my question for you guys is how you handled taking
> nearly 4 weeks
> off work. I work full time as a rehab teacher with a state
> agency; so my
> employer is familiar with the process. What I don't have a
> clear
> understanding of though is whether or not I'll have to use my
> own leave for
> the time I'm away at training; or, if they are required to give
> me some sort
>
> of medical leave with pay. Due to various personal health
> issues as well as
>
> having to care for family members with chronic illnesses and
> cancer in
> recent years, I currently do not have much accumulated
> sick or annual
> leave. Therefore, if I had to use my own leave to go for
> training, I'd have
>
> to put it off for several months in order to build up my leave
> balance;
> especially since like most, I can not afford to take 4 weeks off
> without
> pay.
>
> I've heard a lot of different prospectives on the leave
> situation. I'd just
>
> like to find out from you all as to if there are any ADA
> guidelines
> regarding this matter; and how your employer's dealt with your
> needing to
> take time off for guide dog training.
>
> Thanks so much!
>
> Tonia
>
>
>
>
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