[nagdu] Getting A Dog

Deanna Lewis deannakay618 at yahoo.com
Sun Oct 16 18:53:31 UTC 2011 

Julie,
Yes, Gallant Hearts does sound promising, I am friends with the founder. Another school that wasn't on the NFB's list is Occupaws. Have you heard of them? I know a few handlers from there. They offer home training and are located in Wisconsin. Their website is www.occupaws.org

HTH,
Deanna and Pascal



________________________________
From: Julie J. <julielj at neb.rr.com>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users" <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, October 16, 2011 9:02 AM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Getting A Dog

Cheryl,

I just went through the list and I think they are all still in 
business.  There's a lady here in my town that gets her service dogs 
from KSDS.  She just got a dog from there maybe two years ago.  So 
unless they have gone under very recently I think they are still there.

I didn't see Eye Dog Foundation on the list or that other small school 
in NY, Upstate Guide Dogs or something like that?  Those two are gone as 
I understand it, but the list was apparently already updated.

Has anyone heard anything about Ivy Creek lately?  I have no idea if 
they exist anymore.  I used to correspond with their trainer, but 
haven't now for years.

Oh and there is a brand new program called Gallant Hearts just starting 
up in Mississippi.  I'm keeping a watch on that one.  It looks very 
promising because they are using Dobermans and Boxers as their primary 
breeds.   However they aren't placing dogs yet.  I talked with the 
founder of the program years ago.  She's very knowledgeable about dogs 
and very professional.

Julie


wrote:
> Here is the link on the NFB.org website, I think it needs to be updated
> though I think one or two of the schools closed.
>
> http://www.nfb.org/nfb/guide_dog_schools.asp
>
> Also here is the link on NAGDU.org
>
> It has also school across the country, I am also getting information to our
> webmaster Tami about accessibility and permit information for bringing guide
> dogs into other countries, which will also be on the travel and tourism
> website in December, when it is up and running.
>
> Cheryl Echevarria, President
> Travel and Tourism
> National Federation of the Blind
> president at nfb-travel.org
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Hannah Chadwick"<sparklylicious at suddenlink.net>
> To: "'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'"
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Sunday, October 16, 2011 12:32 AM
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Getting A Dog
>
>
>> Thank you Hal
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
>> Of harold leigland
>> Sent: Saturday, October 15, 2011 8:43 PM
>> To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Getting A Dog
>>
>> 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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