[nagdu] Getting A Dog
harold leigland
h_leigland at bresnan.net
Sun Oct 16 03:42:52 UTC 2011
hi again Hannah, at that time I did not know some guide dog schools did own their dogs after graduation also I had seen dogs from leader and they all were winers constantly! the best dogs I had seen were from seeing eye. at that time seeing eye did not help with vet expenses etc. This was in 1976. My choice of pilot was based on geting in quicker and I had seen my friend Tims' dog from their and it was so well trained that I tried my second dog anna from their had her for 10.5 years till she got cancer. Sampson is my 3rd dog and is also from pilot had him since march. hope this clarifies things a bit hal.
----- Original Message -----
From: Hannah Chadwick <sparklylicious at suddenlink.net>
To: "'Nagdu Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'" <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Date: Saturday, Oct 15, 2011 05:47:53 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Getting A Dog
>
>
> Hello Hal,
> I am looking in to seeing eye as well as other schools. If you don't mind,
> what made you decide to go to Seeing Eye?
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
> Of harold leigland
> Sent: Saturday, October 15, 2011 4:21 PM
> To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Getting A Dog
>
> hi Hannah, my name is hal and you were asking about other schools, my first
> dog was from seeing eye, a good dog she was stolen when I was working in
> texas they said it would take at least 6 months to get another dog finally
> after 23 years I went to pilot and now have my second from their lost anna
> in Jan of this year got Sam in march. all the best hal.
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Hannah Chadwick <sparklylicious at suddenlink.net>
> To: "'Nagdu Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'"
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Date: Friday, Oct 14, 2011 07:39:36 PM
> Subject: [nagdu] Getting A Dog
>
> >
> >
> > 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. ininsmile* 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:
> > >ar Thank you Julie, Lary, Cheryl and everyone else for helping and ar
> > >providing insightful info; it is definitely appreciated.
> > >ar The process took over six months when I applied and that was when
> > >I ar was in my last year of high school. I don't think I have as much
> > >time ar now because I'm going to start college in the fall of 2012
> > >and I'm ar also planning to do a living skills program between now and
> college.
> > >ar The list of questions you've provided Julie is definitely helpful.
> > >ar It'll give me something to think over.
> > >ar I've heard that Seeing Eye and Guide Dogs for the Blind are two of
> > >ar the best schools in the country but I'm sure it all depends on ar
> > >personal preference.
> > >ar -----Original Message-----
> > >ar From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org]
> > >On ar Behalf Of Julie J.
> > >ar Sent: Friday, October 14, 2011 9:07 AM ar To: NAGDU Mailing List,
> > >the National Association of Guide Dog Users ar Subject: Re: [nagdu]
> > >Getting A Dog ar ar Hannah, ar ar I've never attended a guide dog
> > >program. I understand, though, that ar a year is about the max
> > >length of time they will hold an application.
> > >ar After that it's pretty much like reapplying since so much time has
> > >ar passed and things tend to change. I wouldn't worry because they
> > >are ar reevaluating your application. That is the routine procedure.
> > >ar
> > >ar When you say that you travel a lot, are you talking month long
> > >trips ar to Europe, weekend trips to Grandma's, short seminars for
> > >work and ar how frequently do you travel? I don't think going off to
> > >take a ar European vacation two months after getting your first guide
> > >dog is ar going to work out real well. A few weekends with family
> > >shouldn't be ar too much of a problem though. The dog will need
> > >quite a bit of ar stability and routine for the first few months in a
> > >new home, with a ar new person under new working conditions. It's a
> > >lot of changes for a ar new guide dog. The more structure you can
> provide, the better.
> > >ar
> > >ar That said, I don't think any guide dog program expects you to stay
> > >at ar home and do nothing for the first six months. People have
> > >jobs, ar lives and families. Stuff happens and the dog needs to be
> > >able to ar roll with it. It also depends on your particular dog.
> > >Some can ar handle more change than others. This is something you'll
> > >need to be ar sure to make clear to your program so they can match
> > >you with a more
> > flexible dog.
> > >ar
> > >ar Okay now for choosing a program...ity mentioned you don't know what
> > >ar is important to you because this is your first dog. Here are
> > >some ar questions you might want to ask yourself.
> > >ar How far am I willing to travel to attend guide dog training?
> > >ar Am I willing to accept any breed of dog?
> > >ar If I have a breed preference does this school have that type of dog?
> > >ar Do I want or need home training or combination home and away training?
> > >ar How long do I have to be away from home at guide dog school?
> > >ar Do I have that much vacation time from work, or can I make ar
> > >arrangements to be away for that long?
> > >ar How long am I willing to wait to begin training? Is this program's
> > >ar waiting list longer than that?
> > >ar Do I need to attend during a particular time of year, like in the
> > >ar summer because of school and will this program work with me on that?
> > >ar Do I have dietary or medical needs that cannot be accommodated at
> > >ar this program?
> > >ar Is ownership important to me? Does this program grant ownership?
> > >ar What sort of follow up services might I need? What is follow up
> > >like ar from this program?
> > >ar What skills do I need my dog to have beyond the basics provided at
> > >ar all programs, escalators, find, follow, leash guiding, step
> > >refusal, ar additional tasks for another disability?
> > >ar Can I afford to pay a fee for the dog or purchase transportation
> > >to ar and from the school if that is necessary?
> > >ar Am I willing to pay for transportation to the school?
> > >ar Do I want to know or meet the puppy raisers? Is that allowed, ar
> > >expected or encouraged at this program?
> > >ar
> > >ar That is probably overwhelming to you, so I'll stop. Please don't
> > >ar feel that I'm asking you to answer any of that on list. I just ar
> > >wanted to toss out some things as food for thought. Perhaps it will
> > >ar help you figure out which program best fits what you want.
> > >ar
> > >ar all my best,
> > >ar Julie
> > >ar
> > >ar
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