[nagdu] guide dogs of Texas, was Re: GDF and NAGDU conventions

Mon Apr 23 15:56:57 UTC 2012

Hi Lyn,
I'm not Jeanine, but I can tell you that this school is in San
Antonio. They only serve people who live in Texas and they've been
around since the mid 90s I think, I don't know the exact year. I don't
know exactly how many teams they graduate per year, but the last
number I've heard was 12 to 20. Hope that helps answer your question.
Laurel and Stockard

On 4/23/12, Lyn Gwizdak <linda.gwizdak at cox.net> wrote:
> Janine,
> Where is Guide Dogs of Texas?  When was it founded?  I haven't heard about
> that one.  Anyone on the list go there?  what breeds do they use?
>
> Lyn and Landon
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "cheryl echevarria" <cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com>
> To: "nagdu" <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Monday, April 23, 2012 3:47 AM
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] GDF and NAGDU conventions
>
>
>>
>> Thank you for the explanation, since GDF is the only school that I know of
>>
>> personally.
>> We remember that!
>> See you at convention!
>>
>> Leading the Way in Independent Travel!
>>
>> Cheryl Echevarria
>> http://www.echevarriatravel.com
>> 631-456-5394
>> reservations at echevarriatravel.com
>>
>> For daily updates read our blog at
>> http://www.echevarriatravel.wordpress.com
>>
>>> From: jeninems at wowway.com
>>> To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
>>> Date: Sun, 22 Apr 2012 17:07:40 -0400
>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] GDF and NAGDU conventions
>>>
>>> Cheryl,
>>>
>>> Technically, GDF is considered a smaller school. We graduate around 100
>>> teams per year, more if you count the service dog teams which brings the
>>> total to around 120 or so.
>>>
>>> We have a smaller training staff, a smaller administrative staff and
>>> hence
>>> less ability to go to conferences and such.
>>>
>>> The "large schools" include The Seeing Eye, Guide Dogs for the Blind,
>>> Guiding Eyes  and Leader Dogs which all have over 150 teams graduated
>>> per
>>> year and larger training and administrative staffs.
>>>
>>> These days we're probably in that middle category of schools along with
>>> Pilot dogs and Southeastern Guide Dogs
>>>
>>> The truly small schools include Guide Dogs of America, Guide Dogs of the
>>> Desert, Fidelco and the other very small ones out there such as Guide
>>> Dogs
>>> of Texas.
>>> Jenine Stanley
>>> jeninems at wowway.com
>>> http://www.twitter.com/jeninems
>>>
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>>> Behalf
>>> Of cheryl echevarria
>>> Sent: Sunday, April 22, 2012 1:39 PM
>>> To: nagdu
>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] GDF and NAGDU conventions
>>>
>>>
>>> Lyn:
>>> John was there last year at convention, nice man.
>>> Also, GDF is one of the larger schools.
>>>
>>>
>>> Leading the Way in Independent Travel!
>>>
>>> Cheryl Echevarria
>>> http://www.echevarriatravel.com
>>> 631-456-5394
>>> reservations at echevarriatravel.com
>>>
>>> For daily updates read our blog at
>>> http://www.echevarriatravel.wordpress.com
>>>
>>> > From: linda.gwizdak at cox.net
>>> > To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
>>> > Date: Sun, 22 Apr 2012 10:20:55 -0700
>>> > Subject: Re: [nagdu] GDF and NAGDU conventions
>>> >
>>> > Hi Jenine,
>>> > I don't know why we still squabble about what organization prefers
>>> > whatever other organization still goes on.  Here we are, in a time of
>>> > economic decline and at risk for losing everything we've gained for
>>> > the last 50 years, and we can find nothing to put energy into except
>>> > to complain that X Group doesn't like Y Group.
>>> >
>>> > I've never seen either the NFB or the ACB show preference for any
>>> > particular schools.  Many schools can't afford to send people to both
>>> > conventions anymore or do the programs or events they did in the past.
>>> > I would have no idea as to schools prefering one blindness
>>> > organization over another one - guide dog users are guide dog users no
>>> matter if they belong to NFB or ACB.
>>> > No matter which organization we belong to, we still love our dogs the
>>> same.
>>> > And the schools do what they can to outreach to us.
>>> >
>>> > I'd like to see outreach at the conventions but I'd also like to see
>>> > resources being used for the guide dog school programs themselves. GDF
>>> > has always been a smaller school so has always been less able to send
>>> > reps to conventions like the larger schools do.  Even TSE has cut back
>>> > on things.  I got my first two dogs from GDF when John Byfield was
>>> > there.
>>> >
>>> > Lyn and Landon
>>> > ----- Original Message -----
>>> > From: "Jenine Stanley" <jeninems at wowway.com>
>>> > To: "'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'"
>>> > <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>> > Sent: Saturday, April 21, 2012 8:55 AM
>>> > Subject: [nagdu] GDF and NAGDU conventions
>>> >
>>> >
>>> > > HI Cheryl,
>>> > >
>>> > > I'm answering this in my official capacity as the GDF Consumer
>>> > > Relations Coordinator.
>>> > >
>>> > > First off, GDF has no bias toward any consumer organization. I've
>>> > > heard this rumor about various schools since I began looking at them
>>> > > in 1987.
>>> > >
>>> > > It so happens that several members of the current GDf Alumni Council
>>> > > are either NFB and/or NAGDU members and will be present at this
>>> > > year's convention assisting us. The number of graduates who do claim
>>> > > affiliation with NAGDU voluntarily has grown significantly since
>>> > > 2008. I'm quite proud of that actually and enjoy the NFB and NAGDU
>>> conventions tremendously.
>>> > >
>>> > > As with all non-profit organizations, this is a difficult economic
>>> > > time.
>>>
>>> > > We
>>> > > simply cannot afford the types of events we used to have for
>>> > > graduates and prospective students. Other schools have also cut back
>>> > > their events at national conventions.
>>> > >
>>> > > I find it very powerful that though we no longer have these events,
>>> > > our graduate force within NAGDU has grown so much. I thank everyone
>>> > > for that and for learning about us.
>>> > >
>>> > > I again look forward to coming to the NAGDU convention and
>>> > > introducing our Alumni Council.
>>> > > Jenine Stanley
>>> > > Consumer Relations Coordinator
>>> > > Guide Dog Foundation and America's VetDogs jenine at guidedog.org
>>> > > jeninems at wowway.com http://www.twitter.com/jeninems
>>> > >
>>> > >
>>> > > -----Original Message-----
>>> > > From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>>> > > Behalf Of cheryl echevarria
>>> > > Sent: Saturday, April 21, 2012 7:37 AM
>>> > > To: nagdu
>>> > > Subject: Re: [nagdu] Guide Dog School Losing Paperwork and
>>> > > convention
>>> > >
>>> > >
>>> > > Good morning all:
>>> > > I have noticed over the years as being a graduate of GDF, that there
>>> > > have been less and less graduates at convention. I also noticed on
>>> > > the GDF List, and I am no longer on there, I just decided to much is
>>> > > to much.
>>> > > But I noticed that I was the only NAGDU member or NFB Member, I knew
>>> > > Lisa was on here a few times, and Marilyn Tucci is on here now, etc,
>>> > > as well as some others.  But I don't want to put foot in mouth here,
>>> > > but I had mentioned this to our President before, President
>>> > > Gwizdala, that I felt that the school was a lot GDUI and ACB then
>>> > > anything else. I know schools are not supposed to be biased, but I
>>> > > felt that from the beginning.  I have nothing against the other
>>> > > organization at all, I am just a member of NFB and NAGDU, my choice!
>>> > > What does this have to do with losing paperwork, nothing.
>>> > > But with Convention only a few short months away, maybe this is
>>> > > something that can be brought up at convention, when we have opened
>>> > > Q&A
>>> with GDF.
>>> > > Also, I have noticed as well, that at conventions many of the
>>> > > schools have an event for the graduates, GDF used to take it's grads
>>> > > to lunch or anyone interested in learning more about GDF was
>>> > > invited.
>>> > > GDF hasn't done this since our last Convention in Dallas, when
>>> > > Nelson and I were there in, 2008.
>>> > > JMO!
>>> > > Cheryl and Maxx
>>> > >
>>> > > Leading the Way in Independent Travel!
>>> > >
>>> > > Cheryl Echevarria
>>> > > http://www.echevarriatravel.com
>>> > > 631-456-5394
>>> > > reservations at echevarriatravel.com
>>> > >
>>> > > For daily updates read our blog at
>>> > > http://www.echevarriatravel.wordpress.com
>>> > >
>>> > >> Date: Sat, 21 Apr 2012 02:19:56 -0700
>>> > >> From: rhondaprincess at gmail.com
>>> > >> To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
>>> > >> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Guide Dog School Losing Paperwork
>>> > >>
>>> > >> hello lisa.
>>> > >>  i think you should keep on speeking up. and makeing lots of
>>> > >> nouise.
>>> > >>  that's the only way.
>>> > >>  to get what you want.
>>> > >>  i hope it all works out.
>>> > >>  *hugs* from rhonda.
>>> > >>
>>> > >> On 4/20/12, melissa green <graduate56 at juno.com> wrote:
>>> > >> > Lisa,
>>> > >> > Oh no, I was very outspoken about my process of going to GdF.
>>> > >> > In my case, I discovered that a certain staff member was losing
>>> > >> > the paperwork, the vidios, and sending e-mails that said things
>>> > >> > like you weren't accepted.
>>> > >> > When I did go to GDF, I found out that there was someone else
>>> > >> > that this had happened too as well.
>>> > >> > I also have a friend who got aproved for home training and it
>>> > >> > hasn't happened.  This staff member has told her that its because
>>> > >> > she wants a specific breed and that is why its taking so long,
>>> > >> > and that its her
>>> > > fault.
>>> > >> > Yet, I had the same experiences with the Seing eye.  Lost paper
>>> > >> > work, and staff members making the decisions that they think is
>>> > >> > the
>>> > > right one.
>>> > >> > I am glad that I have my girl from GDF.  I believe that grads of
>>> > >> > schools and others need to continue to speak out and to complain.
>>> > >> > That is the only way that it can change.
>>> > >> > Blessings,
>>> > >> > Melissa and Pj
>>> > >> > The very least you can do in your life is figure out what you
>>> > >> > hope for. And the most you can do is live inside that hope. Not
>>> > >> > admire it from a distance but live right in it, under its roof.
>>> > >> > Facebook: Melissa R. Green
>>> > >> > Twitter: melissa5674
>>> > >> > windows messenger: graduate1531 at msn.com
>>> > >> > skype: lisssa5674
>>> > >> >
>>> > >> > ----- Original Message -----
>>> > >> > From: "Lisa belville" <missktlab1217 at frontier.com>
>>> > >> > To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog
>>> > >> > Users"
>>> > >> > <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>> > >> > Sent: Thursday, April 19, 2012 1:26 PM
>>> > >> > Subject: Re: [nagdu] Guide Dog School Losing Paperwork
>>> > >> >
>>> > >> >
>>> > >> >     Jewel, Oh, I'm sorry you're having this issue with the
>>> > >> > school.
>>> > >> > Unfortunately, this is a chronic issue with the GDF.  They admit
>>> > >> > it's an issue and say they're taking steps to fix it, but it's
>>> > >> > still happening, and not just to new applicants, but to returning
>>> grads.
>>> > >> >
>>> > >> > The training is good, but you still need to go through the same
>>> > >> > office if you want to talk to your trainer or fax a vet form.
>>> > >> >
>>> > >> > I used to be one of the biggest GDF cheerleaders out there; I
>>> > >> > helped run their Email list and was on their alumni council for a
>>> > >> > year.  I had these things happen to me, and I've known people who
>>> > >> > have had it
>>> > > happen to them.
>>> > >> > I don't really feel comfortable referring people to the GDF
>>> > >> > anymore because of it.  I get it: They are responsible for a huge
>>> > >> > amount of papers and Emails and faxes that come through there,
>>> > >> > but every guide dog school has to contend with Emails and faxes
>>> > >> > and paper work and they don't have these issues.  If I kept
>>> > >> > losing paperwork at my last job
>>> > > I would have been fired.
>>> > >> >
>>> > >> > As I said before, how a school handles confidential and time
>>> > >> > sensitive info, and how they respond to questions from frustrated
>>> > >> > applicants who need to send a medical report just one more time
>>> > >> > is just as important as the training and how you're encouraged to
>>> > >> > work with
>>> > > your dog.
>>> > >> >
>>> > >> > This is really heartbreaking for me, no kidding, because I've
>>> > >> > been affiliated with the GDF since 1995.  I got to try a GDF demo
>>> > >> > dog at the 95 convention and that clenched it for me.  I've
>>> > >> > received two awesome dogs from the GDF, I know how good it can
>>> > >> > be, and I'd love to
>>> > > see it that good again.
>>> > >> > Yes, things change, but change doesn't mean it has to be done at
>>> > >> > the cost of time and stress on people who just want a
>>> > >> > well-trained dog to enrich their life and provide efficient
>>> > >> > mobility.
>>> > >> >
>>> > >> > I'd encourage other GDF grads on this list to speak out.  I know
>>> > >> > I'm not the only one to deal with these issues. Most people just
>>> > >> > put up with it or get frustrated and move on to another school.
>>> > >> > Addressing it with school staff really hasn't helped because they
>>> > >> > claim these are just isolated incidents when they are most
>>> > >> > certainly
>>> not.
>>> > >> >
>>> > >> > Lisa
>>> > >> >
>>> > >> > 1st Law of Procrastination: that which can be done will be done .
>>> > >> >
>>> > >> > . .
>>> > >> > TOMORROW!!
>>> > >> > Lisa Belville
>>> > >> > missktlab1217 at frontier.com
>>> > >> >
>>> > >> > ----- Original Message -----
>>> > >> > From: "Jewel" <herekittykat2 at gmail.com>
>>> > >> > To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog
>>> > >> > Users"
>>> > >> > <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>> > >> > Sent: Thursday, April 19, 2012 1:36 PM
>>> > >> > Subject: Re: [nagdu] Guide Dog School Losing Paperwork
>>> > >> >
>>> > >> >
>>> > >> >> It's funny you mention GDF, Lisa, because that's the school I am
>>> > >> >> applying to who lost the paperwork. I didn't want to name names,
>>> > >> >> but you already pointed out the problem, so I feel it's okay for
>>> > >> >> me to point it out, too.
>>> > >> >> Is the poor paperwork organization, in your opinion, something
>>> > >> >> that affects the school's performance when it comes to training?
>>> > >> >> To send vet reports, do you scan them into your computer and
>>> > >> >> then e-mail them, or do you send them another way? What's the
>>> > >> >> best way to deal with this issue?
>>> > >> >>
>>> > >> >> I've been impressed with GDF up to this point. I am concerned
>>> > >> >> that this will become a problem for me in the future, so am a
>>> > >> >> little hesitant about going to GDF now...but I really like their
>>> program.
>>> > >> >> Should I apply to another school? Or should I just learn to work
>>> > >> >> around the poor organization skills of the school?
>>> > >> >>
>>> > >> >> Lisa, I'd love to hear about how you deal with this problem, and
>>> > >> >> whether you feel, knowing now what you do aobut paperwork
>>> > >> >> problems and the like, whether you would go back to GDF.
>>> > >> >>
>>> > >> >> Thank you all for the comments so far; I remain concerned...
>>> > >> >>
>>> > >> >> ~Jewel
>>> > >> >>
>>> > >> >> On 4/19/12, Tracy Carcione <carcione at access.net> wrote:
>>> > >> >>> Hi Jewel.
>>> > >> >>> I'd be mighty annoyed if that happened to me, especially if
>>> > >> >>> they lost stuff I had to pay to get, like a medical report and
>>> > >> >>> an O&M report.  And, considering how much I had to bug my
>>> > >> >>> references to get it done, that would be annoying, too.
>>> > >> >>> I think Cindy's suggestion is a good one.  See if there's a
>>> > >> >>> supervisor who can open drawers and look behind the desk, I
>>> > >> >>> guess.
>>> > >> >>> Sheesh! Pretty sloppy!
>>> > >> >>> Hope you can get it straightened out.
>>> > >> >>> Tracy
>>> > >> >>>
>>> > >> >>>> Hey guys,
>>> > >> >>>> Has anyone experienced a guide dog school losing your
>>> > >> >>>> paperwork?
>>> > >> >>>> The school I want to attend says they don't have my medical
>>> > >> >>>> report, my O&M report, and my references. I know for a fact
>>> > >> >>>> that I sent the medical report with the video that they do
>>> > >> >>>> have (they watched it, so they do have that), my O&M
>>> > >> >>>> instructor says he sent his report, and all three of my
>>> > >> >>>> references said they sent their reference letters. On top of
>>> > >> >>>> this, when I had an interview, I was told the interview was
>>> > >> >>>> the only thing they didn't have in my files. The interviewer
>>> > >> >>>> also made a second video of me walking, and they can't find
>>> > >> >>>> that, either. I've been offered a spot in the July class, as
>>> > >> >>>> long as all my paperwork goes through and I'm accepted, but I
>>> > >> >>>> *sent* all that stuff. Should I just go get everything all
>>> > >> >>>> over again, or should I hold them accountable for the
>>> > > lost paperwork...and do what?
>>> > >> >>>>
>>> > >> >>>> Concerned about the school's organization, Jewel
>>> > >> >>>>
>>> > >> >>>> _______________________________________________
>>> > >> >>>> nagdu mailing list
>>> > >> >>>> nagdu at nfbnet.org
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>>> > >> >>>> nagdu:
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>>> > >> >>>> acc
>>> > >> >>>> ess.net
>>> > >> >>>>
>>> > >> >>>
>>> > >> >>>
>>> > >> >>>
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>>> > >> >> %40
>>> > >> >> frontier.com
>>> > >> >
>>> > >> >
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>>> > >> >
>>> > >>
>>> > >>
>>> > >> --
>>> > >> Have freedom.
>>> > >>
>>> > >>
>>> > >> and listen to your hart Smilely.
>>> > >> Rhonda & Mya..
>>> > >>
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