[nagdu] guide dog schools verses canes/was new member

[Criminal Justice Major Extraordinaire]

When I attended GEB, I was told the cane had to be put away once arriving 
there.
During that time, it didn't matter to me as I could see some shadows, light 
and in the dark.
I wasn't able to read the street signs or directly see the trafic signals.
Same sinerial when I applied at Pilot Dogs.
Since I had little usable vision on the left hand side, I put the cane away 
once I went to Pilot to train with Freedom David Berry.
The second time I trained there, I ended up using the dog more than the 
cane.
Still, I don't back down from my cane skills and will pull it out to refresh 
and practice here and there.
It's a good back up plan to have incase dog gets sick which has happened to 
me plenty of times or when he ended up hurting himself.
Back when I trained with Freedom David Berry however, we were given the 
choice at Pilot if we still wanted to use our canes until getting the dog, 
that wasn't a problem one bit.
I still believe that some trainers are allowing people to do what they feel 
comfortable with doing like using their cane in the very beginning is best.
And... Then, there are trainers who just want to see the cane completely out 
of sight.
I really wish that some schools out there, not all, but the ones  who I feel 
as big sticklers would just focus on the dog training and not make mobility 
such to an extreme where it has to be perfectly done.
If I sound like I'm wording this the wrong way, feel free to correct me, but 
I'm feeling that impression of where some schools really expect way too much 
out of mobility as a whole.
There are even individuals who have gone blind and don't have the hang of 
directions and cardinal directions either.
On the same token when individuals do go into either training school, people 
ought to be given a choice of wheterh they feel comfortable with using their 
cane first until they are matched with their four-legged furry partner.
I know of one former State President of the Colorado NFB affiliate known as 
the Colorado Center for the Blind fought with Leader Dogs when it came to 
her using her cane.
The school wanted her to put the cane away and she fought back, stating that 
once she did get her dog, the cane would be put away.
I know all of us could agree of disagree on this matter, but truth is this: 
is there really a right way or a wrong way on this approach?
I remember hearing the history of how canes never existed in the very 
beginning of them early years when blindness of any sort was discovered.
Blind individuals had to feel their way around and carefully navigate.
I remember readning and hearing of how guide dogs came into play which all 
began in 1929.
Canes didn't evolve into the world probably around maybe the 60's, but I'm 
probably wrong on this one.
Guess I'd better get on the horn and do some history research by asking that 
question on Google.
*Wow*
I understand the importance of orientation and mobility, but I just wish the 
guide dog schools would loosen up on it some and not expect so much out of 
it.
I remember filling out the application for Pilot Dogs and one question was 
asked about orientation and mobility, but to me, it seemed as long as I had 
some mobility training, even from along time ago and I could get aroud, 
there'd be no problem with me attempting training with a guide dog again.
Successfully during both achievement walks, dogs and I passed with flying 
colors on the first try.
Truth here is that each and every one of us learn at different levels.
Someone may be advanced and learn quickly and while for another person, the 
thought process may take some time for learning.
Just my thoughts and feelings on all of this.
*Smiles*
Bibi and Odie
the happy spirited bounty labra wolf