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

[Melissa Padron]

I looked on their site and it said that they have labs, goldens, lab/golden crosses, and german shepherds. But when I was volunteering, I mostly saw labs or lab/golden crosses. 

Melissa 

On Apr 23, 2012, at 11:19 AM, Laurel <laurel.stockard at gmail.com> wrote:

> That's great! The last thing I heard is that they were still only
> doing donated dogs. I'm really happy for them. Do they have any breeds
> aside from labs?
> Laurel and Stockard
> 
> On 4/23/12, Melissa Padron <fuzzylucky2021 at sbcglobal.net> wrote:
>> Hello,
>> I'm from San Antonio and I've volunteered at Guide Dogs of Texas. I think
>> they started in 1989. They just started their own breeding program. I think
>> they are on their second or third litter. A majority of their dogs are labs.
>> 
>> Melissa
>> 
>> Sent from my iPhone
>> 
>> On Apr 23, 2012, at 10:56 AM, Laurel <laurel.stockard at gmail.com> wrote:
>> 
>>> 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