[nagdu] Guiding Eyes

Mon Jan 10 03:58:23 UTC 2011

I am partially sighted. You just need to learn to trust your dog and not 
rely on your vision to second guess your dog. That's the most important 
thing.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jordan Ortiz" <ortizj32 at students.rowan.edu>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, January 09, 2011 9:29 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Guiding Eyes


>  Chasity:
> The public transit question was in case students had to make their own way 
> to the school for class.  Since GEB helps students get to the school the 
> question was pointless. I was just covering everything. Thanks
> Julie: Thank you for the info.
>
> Is anyone from GEB on list partially sighted?  My friend has 20/600, and 
> wasn't sure if anyone could explain how it would work with the vision. 
> I'm totally blind, so don't have any experience here.
> Jordan
>
> On 1/9/2011 10:07 PM, Julie McGinnity wrote:
>> Chasity pretty much covered it.  I just wanted to add a few things.  I
>> have gotten my first dog from Guiding Eyes and plan to go nowhere else
>> for my future dogs.
>>
>> About the training.  The dogs are also taught commands to go to the
>> door, stairs, and curb.  At GEB the student and dog team are placed
>> into many  different environments--small town, rurral setting, and big
>> city to name a few.  One of the highlights of the class is going to
>> New York City for a day and doing a rout there.  It's a really great
>> experience!
>>
>> The follow up work is great.  The trainers are always eager to help
>> and pretty quickly too.  The trainers I have worked with have always
>> answered emails very quickly as well.
>>
>> I loved my experience at Guiding Eyes.  The class and trainers and
>> staff become like a second family when your there.  Our class became
>> very close, and most of us still keep in touch.  I would really
>> recommend it.  If you or your friend wants any more info about the
>> school, just let me know.  HTH
>>
>>
>> On 1/9/11, Chasity Jackson<chasityvanda at charter.net>  wrote:
>>> Hello. See below each of your questions for my answers. I will try to 
>>> answer
>>> as best I can, as I have gotten both of my dogs from Guiding Eyes.
>>>
>>>>   Hi Everyone:
>>>>
>>>> I have a friend who is thinking about getting a dog guide, and she is
>>>> considering guiding Eyes.  She has some questions, and we were 
>>>> wondering
>>>> if someone could give us some information.
>>>>
>>>> How long is the duration of a class?
>>> 26 days for the first class...And when you go for another dog following 
>>> your
>>> first dog, you leave a week earlier than the first timers. So it's about 
>>> a
>>> week less any follow up time you go, as long as staff feel you and your 
>>> dog
>>> are properly trained together by that time.
>>>
>>>> what is their ownership policy?
>>> After 2 years of being home with your dog, you can apply for Transfer of
>>> Title.
>>>> What are the class expenses?
>>> You pay for your dog's essentials, such as heart worm preventative,
>>> frontline, etc. If you want to buy grooming tools, such as toothbrush,
>>> toothpaste, groom aid, etc. you can purchase those as well. All meals 
>>> are
>>> provided daily. If you want snacks from their vending machines, you will
>>> need money for those. If you are out on a route with your dog and you 
>>> happen
>>> to be going to a store, and want to purchase something, you will need 
>>> money
>>> for that too. But you do not have to pay anything for your dog itself, 
>>> and
>>> unless there is something specific you want, you should not have daily
>>> expenses. The phones cannot make long-distance calls, so you will need a
>>> calling card or a cell phone. There is an 800 number to the school that 
>>> your
>>> friends and family can call. Also, they have volunteers run errands 
>>> several
>>> times per week. So if you need something from the store, you can put a
>>> certain amount of money in an envelope and the volunteer will take your 
>>> list
>>> and your money and go shopping for you.
>>>
>>>> Do you pay your own way to the school?
>>> No, all air fare is provided by the school, round trip.>
>>>
>>> How easy is it to get to by Public transit?
>>> Not sure I understand this question.
>>>
>>>> What breeds to they use?
>>> They mainly use labs...I have a Golden from there right now, but those 
>>> are
>>> rare. Shepherds are also rare. I think they might use some crosses, but 
>>> I'm
>>> not familiar with which ones, so I don't feel that I am in a position to
>>> speak about that. You might want to call the school to inquire into 
>>> these
>>> questions further.
>>>
>>>> What commands and skills are the dogs taught?
>>> When you do daily obedience, the dogs are taught: sit, stay, come, down,
>>> etc. While working, they are taught forward, right, left, straight, hup 
>>> up,
>>> etc. They now teach the dogs that when you are approaching a door that 
>>> opens
>>> to your left, that you can say "Side," and the dog goes from your left 
>>> side
>>> to your right side and you can walk side by side out the door.
>>>
>>>> What is post class support like?
>>> I have had great experiences with instructors being available when I 
>>> called
>>> the line for any questions...And if needed, follow up support is great 
>>> too.
>>> I highly recommend the school.
>>>> Thanks for any help and info. We are both very formiliar with TSE, and
>>>> weren't sure about Guiding Eyes.
>>>> Jordan, Viola, and puppy
>>>>
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>>>
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>>
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