[nagdu] plug for your own

Margo and Arrow margo.downey at verizon.net
Sun Oct 16 12:07:47 UTC 2011 

Okay, I just couldn't figure out how you were referencing me but now I 
understand.  (smile).  thanks for clarifying.

yes, we have had discussions and we agree more often than we disagree.  and, 
we have two wonderful pups from two wonderful schools.

Margo and
Arrow
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Julie Phillipson" <jbrew48 at verizon.net>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Saturday, October 15, 2011 11:49 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] plug for your own


> woe girl!...  I guess I was saying that you and I have had many 
> discussions about this and I was referring to the fact that we don't 
> always agree and that's just fine.  What is important to one person isn't 
> so much to another so you have to weigh all that and decide for yourself 
> what school best meets your needs, and many times agree to disagree and 
> leave it at that.
> I'm not criticizing you really I'm not!
>
> Julie Phillipson
> ----- 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
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>>
>>
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