[nagdu] plug for your own

Melissa Green graduate56 at juno.com
Mon Oct 17 22:01:33 UTC 2011 

good point Shannon.
I totally agree with you.

Blessings!
Melissa  and PJ Green
Life is like a rainbow. You need both the sun and the rain to make its 
colors appear.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Shannon Dyer" <solsticesinger at gmail.com>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Saturday, October 15, 2011 9:31 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] plug for your own


> Hi, all.
>
> I really don't think any school is "the best" or "the worst". Every school 
> has its good and bad points. Every school has had its share of bad 
> matches. It's true that some seem to have more of this than others, but, 
> even so, it has happened at every single school.
>
> Instead of trying to figure out which school is the best overall, it might 
> make sense to look at which school meets your particular needs. You could 
> go to a school with a wonderful reputation, but, if it doesn't meet your 
> individual needs, you may not end up having a good experience.
>
> Most people are loyal to the schools we went to, but there comes a time 
> when we need to put that aside and look at what an individual is asking 
> for. I'm a GDF grad. If someone who was a disabled veteran asked me if I 
> thought they would be successful there, I would say they had a good 
> chance. If someone told me they wanted their twelve-year-old son or 
> daughter to get a dog from them, my response would be quite different.
>
> It's fine to appreciate what our schools have done for us, but what works 
> for us doesn't always work for everyone else.
>
> Shannon and Caroline
> Are you a fan of women's music? If so, join me each Thursday from noon 
> until three for the Eclectic Collection: a Celebration of Women In Music. 
> Point your media player to:
> http://mojoradio.us/listen
> or
> www.mintfm.net
>
> On Oct 15, 2011, at 10:28 PM, Larry D. Keeler wrote:
>
>> Great evqaluation Julie!  That is why I usually speak for the school I 
>> went to.  Even though Leader is closer and I know they also have some 
>> really great things going on!  Maybe after our state convention I may 
>> write about some of them.  They'll be at the convention on November 4th.
>> ----- 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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