[nagdu] plug for your own

[Margo and Arrow]

Why did you single me out?  I wasn't criticizing any school.  I was poining 
out merely that even if you own your dog at the outset you have benefits 
just as Sherri pointed that out after you own you dog after the first year.

I can't speak about other schools whether they're the best or not and I go 
to my school because of preferences but I like what other schools do as 
well.

I can't speak for which schools are the best.  I think each of us has to 
choose what's best for him or her.

Seeing Eye's the best for me right now; Guiding Eyes is best for you; other 
schools are the best and some feel owner-traiing's the best.

And I am so glad we have a wide range of choices.  there may come a time 
when The Seeing Eye doesn't fulfill my preferences and I'll need to choose 
another school.

what does bother me is the absolute loyalty many people have or so it seems 
and no other school is as good as their school.  there are schools that do 
things I wish the Seeing eye would do and there are things other schools 
don't do that Seeing Eye does and I'm sure we could say that about any 
school.

there are people who don't care about complete ownership.  I happen to care 
about that a lot.  I also care that my school asks me to pay something for 
my dog, but, those are my preferences and i have reasons for them but I 
believe all or most of the schools have a lot to offer.  Also, each school 
has a history, heritage and culture it has developed over the years and that 
history or heritage or culture are what makes the school what it is and 
gives the reasons for things that school does.

This isn't to say we shouldn't hold all of the schools accountable and I'm 
glad the NFB does that.

Hannah and anyone else looking for a guide school--the very best to you and 
I wish you the absolute most wonderful experience at whatever school you 
choose.

Jim Kitsch, president of the Seeing eye, says time and time again that if 
someone wants to come to the Seeing eye, that person is welcome; if the 
person likes the school she or he is attending, go back there.

Margo and Arrow


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Julie Phillipson" <jbrew48 at verizon.net>
To: "NAGDU" <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Saturday, October 15, 2011 10:05 PM
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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