[nagdu] guide dog schools

Mon Oct 17 12:46:12 UTC 2011

The dog won't care who owns it. You may, or you may not.

My views on ownership are a bit confused. On one level I take the view of Mr. Spock from Star Trek, specifically the scene in The Voyage Home when he is speaking to the marine biologist on her whales, "They like you very much, but they are not the hell your whales" meaning that we can't just do what we want with those that share our planet.

I have a husband and daughter. Both are "mine" yet I cannot do whatever I want to them.

My great grandpa was adopted in the late 1800's when he was about ten, solely because the family needed him to work on the farm.  From what I understand, the family was honest about this, "We need this kid to help with farm chores".
If somebody tried this today, there is no way they'd be allowed to adopt a child.

On the other hand, I think the rationale of "The sweet gentle blind person we matched a dog with will go psycho and abuse the dog once we are not around" is pathetic.

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Hannah Chadwick
Sent: Saturday, October 15, 2011 7:54 PM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Subject: Re: [nagdu] guide dog schools

Hey Julie,
Thanks for the info; it's definitely very helpful.
So Guide Dogs for the Blind, Seeing eye, Guiding Eyes for the blind, Guide
Dog Foundation, Leader Dogs, and Guide Dogs of America are the big schools?
I didn't know how much having ownership of the dog would affect the dog once
it graduates.
Hannah
-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Julie J.
Sent: Saturday, October 15, 2011 4:35 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] guide dog schools

Hannah,

It's entirely up to you which school you choose and whether you obtain
ownership of your dog.  We've discussed ownership quite a lot on the list.
I feel very confident in saying that ownership or lack of ownership doesn't
have any effect on the services you will receive when you get home.
Ownership of the dog doesn't mean that you can't return the dog if it
doesn't work out.  Follow up services with a trainer will be available at
the same rate that program provides regardless of ownership status

 From memory:
The Seeing Eye gives ownership at graduation Guide Dogs for the Blind offers
the opportunity to apply for ownership after one year Guideing Eyes for the
Blind you can apply for ownership after two years Leader Dogs offers
ownership after two years, not sure if it's automatic or an application
Guide Dog Foundation offers several options at the completion of training,
ownership or custody, almost always it is the choice of the graduate Guide
Dogs of America grants ownership at graduation

and I cannot remember anything about Southeastern, Guide Dogs of the Desert,
Pilot, Freedom, Guide Dogs of Texas, or any of the other really small
schools.

Financial assistance is something I know little about.  We haven't discussed
that very much on list.  We have discussed yearly cost to keep a guide dog
in good health.  I remember I took inventory of my expenses, but at the
moment I'm drawing a total blank.  Maybe I need more coffee?
*smile*

HTH
Julie
On 10/15/2011 6:19 PM, Hannah Chadwick wrote:
> I know I can pay for food and toys and such but sometimes vet bills
> can be pretty costly. Also it seems like some guide dog schools work
> with petco to offer discounts.
> I think sharing ownership for the first year or so would reassure me
> in case something goes wrong with the dog.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> Behalf Of Steven Johnson
> Sent: Saturday, October 15, 2011 4:08 PM
> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] guide dog schools
>
> Hi Hannah,
> One of the things you might want to consider as many of have been
> there or are in a very similar situation as yours, is to check with
> your vet to see if you can make monthly payments on your bill.  My
> guide's vet costs annually for her major spring work up are usually
> pushing $400+.  The other thing is to see if they offer a reduced rate
> or discount to service dog users...many do.
> Now on the first part of your post, you might want to really look at
> the idea of ownership closely.  I do know that Leader Dogs for
> theBlind has a 2-year wait until one can apply for ownership which I
> personally find unacceptable.  Ownership to many of us on this list is
> a big part of our independence, and the NAGDU continues to advocate
> hard to get all schools to grant ownership upon graduation.  Let me
> ask, that is if you feel comfortable in answering to the group, but
> why do you think you need to have a time period before ownership is
granted?  Curious minds want to know.
>
> BTW, my name is Steve and I am working my 3rd black lab from Leader
> Dogs.  I have had my guides since 1992, and I am the current President
> of the Wisconsin Association of Guide Dog Users.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> Behalf Of Hannah Chadwick
> Sent: Saturday, October 15, 2011 5:55 PM
> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
> Subject: [nagdu] guide dog schools
>
> Hi all,
> I think working with a school with many representatives in a lot of
> the States would be a plus for me in case something goes wrong. Also
> I'd want to attend a school where I don't have complete ownership of
> the dog, at least for now since I'm a college student. Being a college
> student, I will also need financial help from the guide dog school for
> vets. I'm not sure if this is asking for a lot or if there are any schools
that offer these things.
> Please let me know if you have suggestions or ideas.
> Thanks in advance, Hannah
>
>
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