[nagdu] Getting A Dog

Sat Oct 15 02:12:58 UTC 2011

Hey, when aplying for guiding eyes, did you request a time to go?

On 10/14/11, Hannah Chadwick <sparklylicious at suddenlink.net> wrote:
> Hello Julie and list,
> I'm not sure what Guide Dogs new of my plans even after I sent them a letter
> about them. I just received a letter that told me that I need to proceed
> with my plans for at least six months and then I could apply and go through
> the entire application process again. With this said, I'm not sure how
> comfortable I'd feel working with them.
> So I have decided to look in to other school around the country.
> I've always wanted a poodle but I hear that they are only used by people who
> are allergic to dog hair since poodles shed less; is this true?
> My previous application process took more than six months, but does anyone
> know any schools that are quicker in helping there applicants?
> TIA, Hannah
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
> Of Julie J.
> Sent: Friday, October 14, 2011 11:09 AM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Getting A Dog
>
> Hannah,
>
> Got it!  If you're only doing the technology portion that makes a big
> difference.  Does GDB understand it's not all the classes?  When someone
> says residential living skills training, I immediately think of the type
> where you take classes like Braille, computers, shop, cooking, cane travel
> etc.  The rep from GDB may have thought the same thing, creating some
> confusion.
>
> Lots of people attend college with a guide dog.  All by itself that
> shouldn't be a reason not to accept you into a guide dog program.  Like
> everything else though, it's a big adjustment and too many changes all
> together makes it really hard when working with your first guide.
>
> All the best,
> Julie
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On 10/14/2011 12:32 PM, Hannah Chadwick wrote:
>> Hi Julie,
>> Thank you for the advice. I'm planning to do a residential program,
>> however I'm only going to focus on the technology training, and I've
>> spoken with the program's director. I think the residential program
>> won't really be much of a change for me since I've been through bigger
> changes in my life.
>> I thought it be best for me to get a dog before the program begins
>> since I've been told again and again to settle down somewhere for at
>> least six months while I have my dog. Also I'm not sure where I want
>> to go to college so that's another negative factor on my part in getting a
> dog.
>> All the best, Hannah
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>> Behalf Of Julie J.
>> Sent: Friday, October 14, 2011 10:09 AM
>> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Getting A Dog
>>
>> Hannah,
>>
>> When you say that you are going to attend a living skills program, are
>> you talking about residential training?  If so, it might be best to
>> wait until after your training is complete before getting a dog.  I
>> say this for a few reasons.
>>
>> Getting a guide dog can be stressful, especially your first.
>> Attending residential training is also a big change that can cause a
>> lot of stress.  I don't think it would be good for either you or the
>> new dog to go through that amount of stress.
>>
>> Guide dogs and life skills training will both bring about big changes
>> in your life.  It takes time to integrate those changes into your life.
>> I'd recommend one at a time to get the best effect from each.  And
>> this from the person who quit my job, got engaged and enrolled in
>> graduate school all in two days. *smile*  It can be done, but it's not
> easy or the best.
>>
>> Also some of the residential programs have rules about using guide dogs.
>> Many of them incorporated white cane training as a core part of the
>> curriculum.  Since you can't learn cane travel while using a guide
>> dog, they ask that you not work the dog.  You may also be separated
>> from the dog for all or a portion of the day.  This is a hot topic on
>> the list and I'm sure others will weigh in.  I just wanted you to be
>> aware of this before you made any decisions.
>>
>> Learning to better use the white cane will only benifit you when you
>> transition to working with a guide dog.  Most of cane training is
>> really orientation training.  it only takes 5 minutes to learn how to
>> hold and move the cane, but can take months or years to learn how to get
> places safely.
>> When you go to guide dog school they will teach you how to work the
>> dog, but you still need to know where you are going so you can give clear
> directions.
>> I hope that makes sense.
>>
>> I think life skills training is a valuable experience. Not everyone
>> has the opportunity.
>>
>> All my best,
>> Julie
>>
>>
>>
>> On 10/14/2011 11:31 AM, Hannah Chadwick wrote:
>>> 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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