[nagdu] Getting A Dog

Larry D. Keeler lkeeler at comcast.net
Sat Oct 15 19:35:31 UTC 2011 

Cheryl, I have heard great things about that school as well!  A friend of 
mine got her dog from there when hurricane Bob hit.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "cheryl echevarria" <cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Saturday, October 15, 2011 2:42 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Getting A Dog


> GDF is here in NY, located in Suffolk County, on Long Island.
>
> Their website is www.guidedog.org
>
> The school has been around since 1946.
>
> I took this information from there website:
>
> We currently have regional staff based in Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, 
> Virginia and North Carolina, and the list is growing. We service all of 
> the United States, Canada and Mexico and currently also have graduates 
> from Brazil, Israel and El Salvador.
>
> Jenine Stanley works for the school and is also a guide dog users.
> Leading the Way in Independent Travel!
>
> Cheryl Echevarria
> http://www.echevarriatravel.com
> 631-456-5394
> reservations at echevarriatravel.com
>
> Affiliated as an Independent Contractor with Superior Travel, located in 
> Baldwin, NY. www.superiortravel.com
>
> Affiliated as an Independent Contractor with Absolute Cruise & Travel, 
> Inc.
>
>
> ----- 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: Saturday, October 15, 2011 2:26 PM
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Getting A Dog
>
>
>> 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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