[nagdu] Getting A Dog

Sat Oct 15 18:26:43 UTC 2011

Hello Julie, Tami, and list,
Thank you for all this info about various schools; I will definitely look in
to it more.
I've been thinking about Seeing Eye, are there any graduates from that
school on the list? If so, can you please give me some info to start with?
Also, where is GDF?
TIA, Hannah

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Julie J.
Sent: Saturday, October 15, 2011 7:03 AM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Getting A Dog

Hannah,

Poodles as far as I can tell are generally given to people with allergies or
family with allergies as a first priority.  Since there are so few poodles
getting one if you don't have allergies could be a wait.  
Of course things could fall into place so there isn't a long wait, but if
you're set on a poodle, I'd plan for a wait.

When I was in between dogs back in 2008 I began the application process with
GDF.  I did the video, application, references and was called for a phone
interview.  However I had just found Monty to owner train by the time the
trainer called for the home interview.  I'd say it was about 6 
weeks from the time I began the process to the phone call.   Of course I 
still needed to provide a couple more documents to GDF and I'm not sure what
other steps they have in the application process or how long it would take
to get into class after acceptance.  I was told approx. 4 months, which is a
pretty normal amount of time.

When I explained to the trainer that I had found a dog to owner train and
had decided not to attend GDF, he was very curteous and respectful.  
If I do go through a program for my next dog GDF is very high on my list of
possibilities.  They do provide ownership, transportation to the program and
I'm not sure about veterinary assistance.  I live in a small rural community
and vet care here is extremely cheap.  I suppose I spend
$300 or so per year on vet visits, routine vaccinations and preventatives.
Monty was a bit sick when he was a puppy, but food changes have pretty much
solved that problem.  He had one minor emergency this past year where he
broke a toenail, or perhaps it was me stepping on it that broke it.  Anyway
it was pretty bad and painful.  
The visit and fixing the nail cost me something like $12.  I don't think you
would be so lucky in a larger city with more expensive vets.

WOW am I ever long winded this morning! LOL  I hope you find a program that
is perfect for you!
All my best,
Julie

On 10/14/2011 8:37 PM, Hannah Chadwick 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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