[nagdu] plug for your own

Sun Oct 16 04:16:39 UTC 2011

Thanks Margo! :)

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Larry D. Keeler
Sent: Saturday, October 15, 2011 8:15 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] plug for your own

Right on! Margo.  I'm so glad that we have so many choices!
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Margo and Arrow" <margo.downey at verizon.net>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Saturday, October 15, 2011 11:07 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] plug for your own


> 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
>> _______________________________________________
>> nagdu mailing list
>> nagdu at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
>> nagdu:
>>
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/margo.downey%40verizon.ne
t
>>
>>
>> -----
>> No virus found in this message.
>> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
>> Version: 2012.0.1831 / Virus Database: 2090/4554 - Release Date: 10/15/11
>>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> nagdu mailing list
> nagdu at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
> nagdu:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/lkeeler%40comcast.net 


_______________________________________________
nagdu mailing list
nagdu at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for nagdu:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/sparklylicious%40suddenli
nk.net