[nagdu] a cane and dog discussion

[Ally Matt]

Hi Julie,

My experience is that I have felt more independent since I have had my dogs
than when I was using a cane. I have never felt super comfortable using a
cane despite O & M training with the cane. So, I don't really ever use my
cane unless my dog can't work for some reason. It's my opinion that it is
not the dog or the cane that makes someone more or less independent. I think
it's about which the person is most comfortable with because at least for
me, when I feel comfortable I'm likely to do things or go places especially
places that I am not familiar with. Of course, these are just my opinions on
the subject.
Ally

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Julie McGinnity
Sent: Monday, June 20, 2011 2:46 AM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: [nagdu] a cane and dog discussion

Hello everyone.

It is very late, so I hope I make sense as I pose the following
discussion to you.  A friend and I are engaged in an interesting
arguement.  We are talking about guide dog users and how much they use
their canes and a few other things.  I'd just like to pose a few
questions.  (Some of them may seem rather basic.)

Do you think that guide dog users are just as independent as cane
users when it comes to travelling?

Do you think you lose cane skills if  you use a dog the majority of the
time?


Do you think that the majority of dog handlers are bad cane users?

I know these are really general questions, and if you can't answer
them with direct answers, please, just your observations or
experiences will suffice.  I'm just very curious about this.  I want
to know what people think, and I don't really want to seem too
invested in this or as though I am taking a side.  I'm pretty young
and a relatively new guide dog user, so I know there are things I
don't know and haven't seen yet.  I'm more interested in what you guys
say.

Thanks.  Sorry if my late night/early morning ramblings make no sense.

-- 
Julie McG
 Lindbergh High School class of 2009, participating member in Opera
Theater's Artist in Training Program, and proud graduate of Guiding
Eyes for the Blind

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that
everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal
life."
John 3:16

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