[nagdu] Lots of Questions

Mon Aug 27 15:48:52 UTC 2012

        The kid analogy works well in that you'll always need to be aware of what your dog is doing.
If you can't or don't want to be with it for periods of time, you will need to think about and then implement plans so that the dog is looked after properly.
This will go the range from "leave him in his crate" to getting a dog sitter.

You won't have any moral issues involving your dog. You won't ever be watching the news and have to wonder how to explain a situation to your dog.  There won't ever be stories you shouldn't tell your dog.
You will probably loose and gain friends because of the dog's presence.  You need to be aware of this. Some people just don't like dogs and won't make an acception for you. That's fine, you just need to be prepared to have the friendship cool and realize it isn't you, though it will feel that way at the time.

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of rhonda cruz
Sent: Saturday, August 25, 2012 6:21 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Lots of Questions

 hi lizzy,
 i didn't get my dog wile i was in high school.
 i got her when i was a bit older.
  i think having a guide dog is like having a kid.
 they never grow up.
 and  it is like being a mom to a 2 year old dog.
 some people will have problems with your dog. being in there car.
 and such.

 i wish you a lot of luck.
 i got my dog in the spring time.
 but i went to a school in ohio  called pioltdogs.
 my name is rhonda.
 vary nice to have you.
 here.

  i have a small german sheppard.
 named may.

On Aug 25, 2012, at 12:12 PM, Julie McGinnity wrote:

> Hi Lizzy.
>
> I received my dog while I was still in high school.  I went to Guiding
> Eyes for the Blind the Summer before my senior year.  Like you, I
> lived in the suburbs and took a rather difficult course load.  I took
> five AP courses my senior year.  It worked out for me because I went
> to a big high school and was involved in a lot of various activities.
>
> I think the important thing to remember is that high school is a
> difficult environment for a dog, not impossible by any means, but the
> food and gumb on the floor, the kids, and the constant activity will
> make it an environment filled with distractions.  As long as you
> listen to the instruction given by your school, I'm sure you'll do
> fine.  Do obedience every day, and spend time on those issues your dog
> needs to work on.  For example, my dog was very eistracted by food.
> This was before we went to high school.  But we worked and worked on
> it over the Summer, and now she behaves quite nicely around food for
> the most part.
>
> As long as you keep your dog on a good schedule in high school and
> give it enough work outside of school as well as inside school, you
> will probably do well.  Also, you have to decide how you want to
> handle the other students' interaction with the dog.  I simply stood
> up on the first day of school and introduced my dog and told everyone
> that she could not be petted or talked to because she is working.  The
> teachers helped me inforce these rules, and it worked out well.  I
> can't say I had one problem.  It helped that I had friends who would
> tell off anyone who was illegally petting my dog.  :)
>
> Please feel free to email me off list with any questions.  I think
> your situation is rather close to what mine was.
>
> On 8/25/12, lizzy <lizzym0827 at gmail.com> wrote:
>> Hi all,
>> My name is Lizzy and I am a high school junior living in the
>> suburbs of Pennsylvania.  This fall I will be applying to a few
>> guide dog schools in the hopes of attending one in the summer of
>> 2013.  I am posting here to ask for your opinion and advice.  I
>> have done a good amount of research on the schools but now I need
>> more subjective information so that I can be sure to make the
>> right decision next summer.  I know that most schools are less
>> likely to give a high school student a guide dog, but from
>> talking to different staff, a few guide dog handlers and my O & M
>> instructor I think I would be a good candidate.  Here are my
>> questions:
>> Have any of you had dog guides in high school? If so, what were
>> some of the benefits/struggles?
>> Which schools are more likely to give guides to high school
>> students?
>> Will the fact that I live in the suburbs effect me in any way?
>> (Ex: Getting in to a school, needing to go to the city more often
>> etc)
>> How easy/hard is it to take care of a dog and take a challenging
>> course load (I'm in three AP's this year and hopefully will be
>> taking more during my senior year)?
>> Can you give me any general advice that you think will be helpful
>> in terms of saving up money, preparing my family etc.
>> Thanks,
>> Lizzy
>> P.S.  I've already spoken to administration at my school and I
>> will be giving a presentation on the first day (next year) for
>> all of the students.  Yes, I know, I like to be prepared.  :)
>>
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>
>
> --
> Julie McG
> Lindbergh High School class of 2009, National Federation of the Blind
> of Missouri recording secretary,
> Missouri Association of Guide dog Users President,
> and proud graduate of Guiding Eyes for the Blind
>
> "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that
> everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal
> life."
> John 3:16
>
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