[nagdu] AMP ProgramRe: plug for your own

Brenda bjnite at windstream.net
Sun Oct 16 16:04:13 UTC 2011 

Hi Julie

TheAMP program is the accelerated mobility program.  It is a one week 
program that is only offered at leader to my knowledge.  I went there 
last February/March.  The only thing I didn't like was my plane was 
majorly delayed due to weather and I almost didn't get to go.

I do not have the time, inclination or need to go to a lengthy 
residential program as I am learning as I go as many baby boomers who 
lose their vision do.  Also, I don't have the money for a residential 
program but would not qualify for financial aid anyway.

Leader's AMP program is great for people like me.  I have enough 
residual vision to walk a straight line (at least with my cane, without 
cane I kinda zigzag for some reason).  What I needed help with was 
increasing my cane my comfort level street crossing as I can no longer 
see cars.  After AMP I am back to traveling independently and crossing 
streets and don't feel embarrassed to be using a cane even though I can 
see a little.

Brenda



On 10/15/2011 11:52 PM, Julie Phillipson wrote:
> steve that's good to know because I had heard other wise.  What is the 
> AMP program?
>
> Julie Phillipson
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Steven Johnson" 
> <blinddog3 at charter.net>
> To: "'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog 
> Users'" <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Saturday, October 15, 2011 10:50 PM
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] plug for your own
>
>
>> 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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