[nagdu] High School students and Guide Dogs...

[Shannon Dyer]

I got my first dog when I was seventeen. I went to GDF the summer between my junior and senior years of high school. I was mature enough to work the dog, but I wasn't the only factor. I had to contend with the normal high school environment, which, as everyone knows, is full of quite a bit of craziness and immaturity. Luckily, I had a supportive staff to help me, and my Rachel girl was not adversely affected by the environment.

People will sometimes ask me if I recommend that high school students work dogs. I usually say no, just because of the chaos high school brings. Having said this, it can work, if the handler has the proper support system available to him or her.

Shannon and Ace
Shannon Dyer
Alumni Council Member,
Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, Inc
®  and
America's VetDogs®,  The Veteran's K-9 Corps Inc ®
Providing "Second Sight" ® since 1946
371 E. Jericho Turnpike, Smithtown, NY 11787
Office: 631-930-9000, Toll-free: 866-282-8047
solsticesinger at gmail.com
To make a donation that can change a life...contact the Guide Dog Foundation at
www.guidedog.org 
or America's VetDogs the Veterans K-9 Corps at
www.vetdogs.org
Visit us on facebook at: 
www.facebook.com/GuideDogFoundation or www.facebook.com/AmericasVetDogs

On Aug 28, 2012, at 2:23 PM, Lyn Gwizdak wrote:

> Debbie,
> This makes sense because not all 16 year old kids have the maturity to deal with every aspect of guide dog use and ownership.  It sounds to me that GDD isn't totally saying no to all 16 year olds but is open to ones they deem mature and responsible enough to train with and use a guide dog sucessfully. Key word, SUCESSFULLY.  I agree with them.
> 
> I was watching something on TV about the brain and teenagers - in particular 16 year olds and driving a car.  At age 16, the doctor on the show said, the part of their brain that regulates compulsion and reasoning is not yet fully matured yet.
> 
> I think the GDD and other schools who say no youth under 18 can be accepted, understand this fact.  Why set someone up for failure when they may just not be ready for the scope of responsibility for the care and use of the dog but also the ability to withstand public - read peer pressure - pressure to relent and do things that harm the integrety of the team just so they can remain popular in their circle of friends?
> 
> I don't think 16 years olds in general are mature enouogh to drive cars. Again, some may be very mature and responsible at age 16, but many ARE NOT and the accidents they cause show this.  Here in California, one cannot drive carrying any other teens until they are 18.  But this is not so in many other states.
> 
> I know that there are many 16 year olds who sucessfully work guide dogs in high school and I think it is almost more challenging to do that because of having to deal with all the other kids who are not mature enough to understand that their actions can cause harm to the guide dog team's safety. As adults, we encounter this on a lessor degree from other adults.
> 
> If you are 16 and are considering a guide dog in high school, read all yyou can about the realities of guide dog use and also talk to others who have also gotten dogs in high school.  Know what you are really in for!
> 
> Lyn and Landon
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Debbie Cole" <debbieanne1124 at gmail.com>
> To: <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Tuesday, August 28, 2012 10:29 AM
> Subject: [nagdu] High School students and Guide Dogs...
> 
> 
>> I inquired at Guide dogs of the Desert in White Water/Palm Springs
>> California about their accepting High School Students.  Here is the
>> reply I received.  Just for future references.
>> 
>> We can take individuals as young as 16, however, this is on a very
>> special case-by-case basis.
>> 
>> As you know caring for and working with a Guide Dog is a lot of
>> responsibility.  Working a dog in high school can be especially
>> challenging.
>> 
>> We will often encourage individuals to finish high school before
>> applying for a dog.
>> 
>> However, if this student believes that they are ready for the work and
>> responsibility, they may apply with us and we can look into it from
>> there.
>> 
>> -- 
>> warmly,
>> 
>> Debbie Cole
>> 
>> debbieanne1124 at gmail.com
>> 
>> _______________________________________________
>> nagdu mailing list
>> nagdu at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for nagdu:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/linda.gwizdak%40cox.net 
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> nagdu mailing list
> nagdu at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for nagdu:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/solsticesinger%40gmail.com