[nagdu] plug for your own

[Steven Johnson]

Julie, just as an FYI, Leader Dog also trains internationally, and in fact
in almost all of my classes, had students from Spain, Mexico, and South
American countries.  In fact, LD has talked about placing a school in Taiwan
and Mexico city, and Leader Dog also trains dogs for persons who are hearing
impaired and deaf blind as well.  Plus, they have the AMP program which to
the best of my knowledge, no other school has:)

Steve

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Julie Phillipson
Sent: Saturday, October 15, 2011 9:06 PM
To: NAGDU
Subject: [nagdu] plug for your own

OK I do not intend to set off a food fight here so lets keep this discussion
thoughtful and reasonable.  I can give Guiding Eyes a plug because I am a 4
time grad.  Margo can give Seeing Eye a plug because she is a 4 time grad of
their program.  No matter which school our dog is from we want to say they
are one of the best schools out there.  So Margo and all let me tell you
about GEB, I don't say much on this list, because I am tired of hearing all
the bad and good points about this school or that school and frankly
training program bashing.  Some schools are small and have less history then
others but the dogs I've seen from different schools are basically very
similar in quality and training.  GEB breeds and trains their own dogs and
it shows in the quality and temperament of their dogs.  Seeing Eye also
breeds their own as do several other schools, and I know they trade breeding
stock between schools even in other countries.  There have been dogs that
have not worked out for what ever reason.  Is it the dog or, is it the
handler, or more likely it is just the wrong match.  Every school has their
share.  GEB visits or is in touch with each of their grads at least once a
year not to spy, but to see that you are not having any problems and that
the dog is still working safely.  Each school has a policy in place
concerning ownership, GEB gives the option to apply for ownership after 2
years.  After 30 years of working with a guide dog I have never felt
compelled to legally own my dog.  I already do in any way that counts he is
my dog and we already have a very close bond and I think that is more
important then having a piece of paper that says I own him.  If you ask for
ownership it makes know difference in the quality of follow-up services that
you get from GEB or in finding a retirement home if you need help with that.
If you retire your dog and find a home yourself GEB will send someone out to
be sure it will be a suitable home.  Before you jump on that Marion, there
is a very good reason for that. It happened to one of our members, and her
retired dog.  The home she put her dog in, who were at the time very good
friends didn't take care of the dog, once it was discovered,  and after 2
years of abuse GEB was able to rescue the dog who had to be put down in the
end because she was neglected and very sick.  If you choose to keep your dog
with you after retirement and get a new dog that is OK with them.  geb has a
policy of maintaining your dog at a healthy weight and if you do you can get
up to $300 per year toward vet. care and other supplies you can buy from GEB
at cost from the school,  is you do not maintain a healthy weight you will
get $200 so there is a good incentive to help your dog stay healthy and
happy and be able to be with you for a longer time.  As I understand it GEB
is the only U.S. school that will train world wide.  In my class in April
there were 3 students from Brazil and 1 from Spain.  GEB trains dogs for
people with special needs IE balance, deaf blind or severe hearing loss, and
they have a program for training dogs for children with autism and it has
become a very successful program.  I like that the different schools have
branched out to serve specialized populations, GDF works with disabled
veterans, Seeing eye and I think Southeastern is still working with people
who need to use a wheelchair and most of the schools if not all, will try to
accommodate other health considerations.  OK I know there are many other GEB
grads on this list and others that are members of NAGDU, we don't say much
though.  I still have to say it though Margo *GEB is the best*just my
opinion though (grin)!


Julie Phillipson
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