[nagdu] Getting A Dog

Fri Oct 14 17:06:24 UTC 2011

Hopefully, you'll be able to spend a month before college getting your dog! 
Dogs are very useful around college campuses!
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Hannah Chadwick" <sparklylicious at suddenlink.net>
To: "'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, October 14, 2011 12:31 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Getting A Dog


> Thank you Julie, Lary, Cheryl and everyone else for helping and providing
> insightful info; it is definitely appreciated.
> The process took over six months when I applied and that was when I was in
> my last year of high school. I don't think I have as much time now because
> I'm going to start college in the fall of 2012 and I'm also planning to do 
> a
> living skills program between now and college.
> The list of questions you've provided Julie is definitely helpful. It'll
> give me something to think over.
> I've heard that Seeing Eye and Guide Dogs for the Blind are two of the 
> best
> schools in the country but I'm sure it all depends on personal preference.
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
> Of Julie J.
> Sent: Friday, October 14, 2011 9:07 AM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Getting A Dog
>
> Hannah,
>
> I've never attended a guide dog program.  I understand, though, that a 
> year
> is about the max length of time they will hold an application.
> After that it's pretty much like reapplying since so much time has passed
> and things tend to change.  I wouldn't worry because they are reevaluating
> your application.  That is the routine procedure.
>
> When you say that you travel a lot, are you talking month long trips to
> Europe, weekend trips to Grandma's, short seminars for work and how
> frequently do you travel?  I don't think going off to take a European
> vacation two months after getting your first guide dog is going to work 
> out
> real well.  A few weekends with family shouldn't be too much of a problem
> though.  The dog will need quite a bit of stability and routine for the
> first few months in a new home, with a new person under new working
> conditions.  It's a lot of changes for a new guide dog.  The more 
> structure
> you can provide, the better.
>
> That said, I don't think any guide dog program expects you to stay at home
> and do nothing for the first six months.  People have jobs, lives and
> families.  Stuff happens and the dog needs to be able to roll with it.  It
> also depends on your particular dog.  Some can handle more change than
> others.  This is something you'll need to be sure to make clear to your
> program so they can match you with a more flexible dog.
>
> Okay now for choosing a program...you mentioned you don't know what is
> important to you because this is your first dog.  Here are  some questions
> you might want to ask yourself.
> How far am I willing to travel to attend guide dog training?
> Am I willing to accept any breed of dog?
> If I have a breed preference does this school have that type of dog?
> Do I want or need home training or combination home and away training?
> How long do I have to be away from home at guide dog school?
> Do I have that much vacation time from work, or can I make arrangements to
> be away for that long?
> How long am I willing to wait to begin training? Is this program's waiting
> list longer than that?
> Do I need to attend during a particular time of year, like in the summer
> because of school and will this program work with me on that?
> Do I have dietary or medical needs that cannot be accommodated at this
> program?
> Is ownership important to me?  Does this program grant ownership?
> What sort of follow up services might I need?  What is follow up like from
> this program?
> What skills do I need my dog to have beyond the basics provided at all
> programs, escalators, find, follow, leash guiding, step refusal, 
> additional
> tasks for another disability?
> Can I afford to pay a fee for the dog or purchase transportation to and 
> from
> the school if that is necessary?
> Am I willing to pay for transportation to the school?
> Do I want to know or meet the puppy raisers?  Is that allowed, expected or
> encouraged at this program?
>
> That is probably overwhelming to you, so I'll stop.  Please don't feel 
> that
> I'm asking you to answer any of that on list.  I just wanted to toss out
> some things as food for thought.  Perhaps it will help you figure out 
> which
> program best fits what you want.
>
> all my best,
> Julie
>
>
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