[nagdu] Getting A Dog

Sat Oct 15 02:46:24 UTC 2011

It is in Columbus Ohio.  Sence you are farther away, I don't know about the 
transportation.  If you want, write me offlist at lkeeler at comcast.net and 
I'll send you the link to there web page.
----- 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 10:29 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Getting A Dog


> Larry,
> Where is Pilot located? Do you have complete ownership of the dog? Will I
> need to pay for transportation to and from the training? Does Pilot 
> provide
> financial help? Sorry for all the questions but these are a few of the
> requirements I would need to know before I apply.
> Tia, Hannah
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
> Of Larry D. Keeler
> Sent: Friday, October 14, 2011 7:17 PM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Getting A Dog
>
> Not!!  I have a poodle mix.  I wanted a poodle and I'm have no allergies.
> Pilot is the only school I know that breeds them.  Although I think Guide
> dogs of the Desert may as well.  At least I've heard that they have a lot 
> of
> poodles.  As far as I know, Pilot will only make you wait a couple of
> months.  I hear that other schools such as Leader get poodles but you have
> to be on a long waiting list for them.  They do give them to people with
> allergies first then, other people can have them.  Those schools do not
> breed them but get them as donations.  Also, Southeastern, Seeing Eye and
> the place you applied to at least in 2008 did not use poodles.  In fact, a
> representative from Seeing Eye told me that they would never use poodles 
> and
> that if you wanted one you were foolish because they're hard to train!  I
> sure didn't use his information sence I raised poodles and knew better!
> That rep sort of turned me off from Seeing Eye.  On the other hand, I have
> read two books about them and have seen some pretty good dog teams.  But, 
> he
> was right, no poodles!  If you would want a poodle, I would recomend 
> Pilot.
> The wait isn't long and they always seem to have poodles!  This list has
> also shown me that other folks are using poodles and I'm curious how many
> came from Pilot and how many came from other schools or were self trained.
> Not cutting any school down or anything!  Just curious!  Anyway Hannah, 
> good
> luck and it was fun to compare and contrast schools.  I'd wished I'd 
> checked
> that one in Hawaii!  It would have been nice for this Michigan bouy!
> ----- 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 9:37 PM
> Subject: [nagdu] Getting A Dog
>
>
>> 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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