[nagdu] Getting A Dog

[Hannah Chadwick]

Hi everyone,
Thanks for all the warm welcomes!
I have not done much research on the various schools, and I don't know what
I expect/want from a dog or the dog school because this will be my first
time looking in to everything. I live in northern California, and the
closest school to me is in San Rafael, guide dogs for the blind. I hear that
they are a good school and so I applied a year or so ago.
I was supposed to get a dog over the summer but then something came up,
which made it not possible for me to attend the training. I put it off until
now and they are re-evaluating my application. I like to be doing stuff at
all times, especially traveling and I was told that I needed to settle down
for at least six months.
Now I am just waiting to hear back from them but I didn't get a good vibe
from talking to the admissions manager. So I'm just checking to see where
you guys got your dogs and what your experiences were upon attending the
training sessions.
Again, thank you so much for the warm welcomes :)
Cheers, hannah

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Julie J.
Sent: Thursday, October 13, 2011 2:51 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Getting A Dog

Welcome Hannah!

I'm Julie, one of the moderators.  I'm currently recovering from breaking my
foot, but in a few weeks I'll be working with Monty my lab and Boxer mix
guide again.  We are both looking forward to it quite a lot!

I have no advice for guide dog school selection. I owner train my guides.  I
usually tell people to figure out what it is you want from a guide dog
school.  Then prioritize the list.  When you start looking at schools it
will be much easier to find one that most closely matches your needs.
Others have mentioned location, but you might also consider what breeds they
offer, facilities, other amenities, size of classes, length of training,
availability of follow up services and any manner of other thing that is
important to you.

What is important to me may not be important to you.  If you could share
some specific things you are looking for in a guide dog program, I think the
people here would more easily be able to help you.

Again welcome!
Julie


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