[nagdu] Getting A Dog

Sun Oct 16 23:37:21 UTC 2011

Actually Julie, Nicole has now started a new guide dog organization.

Steve

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Julie J.
Sent: Sunday, October 16, 2011 3:12 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Getting A Dog

Deanna,

Yes, Nicole, the founder of Ocupaws used to be on this list.   I haven't 
seen her post for a long while.  There was also a graduate of Ocupaws 
that used to be on the list, but I haven't seen her post for a while 
either.  I haven't heard much about Occupaws lately.  Do you know how 
they are doing?

Julie

On 10/16/2011 1:53 PM, Deanna Lewis wrote:
> 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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