[nagdu] guide dog schools

Larry D. Keeler lkeeler at comcast.net
Sun Oct 16 02:20:26 UTC 2011


Not necessarily so!  Pilot is what I'd call small.  But they have 7 
available breeds and probably a couple mor like myy Holly that were 
donations.
----- 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 8:28 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] guide dog schools


>I figure that the bigger the school, there are more representatives and 
>they
> would have a larger selection of dogs to match the student...
> I'm thinking about guiding eyes, they seem to meet a lot of what I'm 
> looking
> for :)
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
> Of Julie J.
> Sent: Saturday, October 15, 2011 5:18 PM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] guide dog schools
>
> ummm...I suppose it depends on how exactly you define big. *smile*  I'd 
> say
> that Leader, GDB and TSE are the largest.  GDF and GEB, are a small big
> school or something.  GDA, SEGDI, Pilot are in the medium range.
> GDTX, GDD, KSDS and Freedom are small.
>
> I'm defining size by how many teams each puts out in a year.  To me the 
> size
> of the school makes no difference.  I suppose benefits of a larger program
> might be faster availability of getting into class and a larger pool of 
> dogs
> to choose from when matching students and dogs. The smaller schools have
> smaller classes.
>
> I care more about whether or not they give ownership and how they treat
> their blind consumers.  I've seen some advertisements for various guide 
> dog
> programs that honestly make me cringe.  But all of that is strictly my
> opinion.  As I've said before I haven't attended any of the programs
> because I'm super picky and well, I love to train dogs!   I know there
> will come a day when I just won't have the umph to owner train anymore and
> I'll have to pick a program if I want to continue working with a
> guide dog.     In the meantime, I'm enjoying watching the various
> programs progressing, making changes and better meeting the needs of
> consumers.
>
> Julie
>
>
>
>
> On 10/15/2011 6:54 PM, Hannah Chadwick wrote:
>> Hey Julie,
>> Thanks for the info; it's definitely very helpful.
>> So Guide Dogs for the Blind, Seeing eye, Guiding Eyes for the blind,
>> Guide Dog Foundation, Leader Dogs, and Guide Dogs of America are the big
> schools?
>> I didn't know how much having ownership of the dog would affect the
>> dog once it graduates.
>> 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 4:35 PM
>> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] guide dog schools
>>
>> Hannah,
>>
>> It's entirely up to you which school you choose and whether you obtain
>> ownership of your dog.  We've discussed ownership quite a lot on the 
>> list.
>> I feel very confident in saying that ownership or lack of ownership
>> doesn't have any effect on the services you will receive when you get
> home.
>> Ownership of the dog doesn't mean that you can't return the dog if it
>> doesn't work out.  Follow up services with a trainer will be available
>> at the same rate that program provides regardless of ownership status
>>
>>   From memory:
>> The Seeing Eye gives ownership at graduation Guide Dogs for the Blind
>> offers the opportunity to apply for ownership after one year Guideing
>> Eyes for the Blind you can apply for ownership after two years Leader
>> Dogs offers ownership after two years, not sure if it's automatic or
>> an application Guide Dog Foundation offers several options at the
>> completion of training, ownership or custody, almost always it is the
>> choice of the graduate Guide Dogs of America grants ownership at
>> graduation
>>
>> and I cannot remember anything about Southeastern, Guide Dogs of the
>> Desert, Pilot, Freedom, Guide Dogs of Texas, or any of the other
>> really small schools.
>>
>> Financial assistance is something I know little about.  We haven't
>> discussed that very much on list.  We have discussed yearly cost to
>> keep a guide dog in good health.  I remember I took inventory of my
>> expenses, but at the moment I'm drawing a total blank.  Maybe I need more
> coffee?
>> *smile*
>>
>> HTH
>> Julie
>> On 10/15/2011 6:19 PM, Hannah Chadwick wrote:
>>> I know I can pay for food and toys and such but sometimes vet bills
>>> can be pretty costly. Also it seems like some guide dog schools work
>>> with petco to offer discounts.
>>> I think sharing ownership for the first year or so would reassure me
>>> in case something goes wrong with the dog.
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>>> Behalf Of Steven Johnson
>>> Sent: Saturday, October 15, 2011 4:08 PM
>>> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] guide dog schools
>>>
>>> Hi Hannah,
>>> One of the things you might want to consider as many of have been
>>> there or are in a very similar situation as yours, is to check with
>>> your vet to see if you can make monthly payments on your bill.  My
>>> guide's vet costs annually for her major spring work up are usually
>>> pushing $400+.  The other thing is to see if they offer a reduced
>>> rate or discount to service dog users...many do.
>>> Now on the first part of your post, you might want to really look at
>>> the idea of ownership closely.  I do know that Leader Dogs for
>>> theBlind has a 2-year wait until one can apply for ownership which I
>>> personally find unacceptable.  Ownership to many of us on this list
>>> is a big part of our independence, and the NAGDU continues to
>>> advocate hard to get all schools to grant ownership upon graduation.
>>> Let me ask, that is if you feel comfortable in answering to the
>>> group, but why do you think you need to have a time period before
>>> ownership is
>> granted?  Curious minds want to know.
>>> BTW, my name is Steve and I am working my 3rd black lab from Leader
>>> Dogs.  I have had my guides since 1992, and I am the current
>>> President of the Wisconsin Association of Guide Dog Users.
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>>> Behalf Of Hannah Chadwick
>>> Sent: Saturday, October 15, 2011 5:55 PM
>>> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
>>> Subject: [nagdu] guide dog schools
>>>
>>> Hi all,
>>> I think working with a school with many representatives in a lot of
>>> the States would be a plus for me in case something goes wrong. Also
>>> I'd want to attend a school where I don't have complete ownership of
>>> the dog, at least for now since I'm a college student. Being a
>>> college student, I will also need financial help from the guide dog
>>> school for vets. I'm not sure if this is asking for a lot or if there
>>> are any schools
>> that offer these things.
>>> Please let me know if you have suggestions or ideas.
>>> Thanks in advance, Hannah
>>>
>>>
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