[nagdu] Freedom Guide Dogs

[Julie J.]

Welcome Melissa!

I'm Julie, one of the moderators.  You ask a lot of really great questions!

Freedom is a very small school.  I can think of one graduate from there 
that is on this list.  There may be others though.  Have you asked 
Freedom if they can put you in contact with some of their graduates?

As far as introducing the idea of a guide dog to the family, I think it 
depends a lot on your particular living situation and the relationship 
between the person and the family.  If you live on your own, their 
approval or understanding  won't be as important as if you live with 
them.    If their approval is important to you, many of the programs 
have videos about guide dogs that are meant to introduce the idea to the 
family.  I think some of these are available on line for anyone to 
view.  If you know someone who uses a guide, that you are comfortable 
with, I think it can be good for family to meet a guide dog and 
experience how the dog will behave and work.

I don't think I'd move or give up a job to get a guide dog.  I work with 
a guide  in order to enhance my life.  Giving up a job or a home that I 
liked would be a serious downgrade for me.  It depends on what is 
important to you and your particular situation though.  You know what's 
best for you.

Again, welcome to the list!
Julie



On 11/22/2011 8:07 AM, Melissa.Burch at dot.gov wrote:
> Hello,
>
> My question is this. I am looking into getting a guide dog and I really
> like the idea of the school coming to me since I work in DC and I just
> started and do not have the leave to go to other schools. This would be
> my first guide dog. Is there anyone on here that has used this school?
> If so what are your thoughts? Also how did you talk to your family when
> it comes to the Dog? Mine are not sure it is something I need and I
> really think it would be since I am working in a very busy area. I am
> now really good with my cane and I am using that around them now. So I
> guess I will see how that goes. Worst case I find another place to live
> I just want to save more before I did that.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Melissa
>
>
>
> Melissa Burch
>
> Program Assistant
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> U.S. Department of Transportation
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