[nagdu] Getting A Dog
Tami Kinney
tamara.8024 at comcast.net
Sat Oct 15 18:56:19 UTC 2011
Julie,
I always appreciate hearing about schools that are respectful of and
gracious toward owner-trainers. /grin/ Since GDF is pretty high on my
list for future consideration, as well, I will add this as a plus on
them. /grin/
TamiOn 10/15/2011 07:02 AM, Julie J. wrote:
> 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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