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

Wed Aug 29 13:41:11 UTC 2012

it was the instructors choice.

On 8/29/12, Pickrell, Rebecca M (TASC) <REBECCA.PICKRELL at tasc.com> wrote:
>         This is a good post with some good points.
> I wouldn't phrase it as a matter of maturity though as that implies a value
> judgement.
> Rather, I'd look at it as a trade study. Do you want to do what is required
> to use and maintain a dog? Will it work logistically?  Will you, your family
> and the dog bennifit?
> I got my first dog when I was eighteen.
> I know a lot more now then I did back then.  And I don't have a dog now.  I
> didn't loose maturity when I decided a dog wasn't what I wanted in my life.
>
> There are things that are just plain harder with a dog.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
> Of Ramona Davidson
> Sent: Wednesday, August 29, 2012 4:21 AM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] High School students and Guide Dogs...
>
> I have only had my Ismael for two months now, but some things i'd like
> to note are, yes, the dog gives you so much, works for you, makes your
> life easier, but guess what, you give the dog as much as you get. you
> feed him, bathe, groom, play, love, and correct him. you pick up his
> droppings, and so much more than that, not mom, or dad, or brother or
> sister, you!  if feels a little like the time after my son was born,
> accept it feels like I have a newborn 3 year old. hahaha. it's not an
> easy transition and who ever said it was is probably lying, especially
> if it's your first dog. Its! Not! easy!
>
> they are dogs, first and formost, they get in to stuff, they shred
> emportant things, they drink out of the toilet, which i was horrafide
> to find yesterday afterknoon wile the 4 year old was reeking habic.
> it feels like the last month has been one big test of faith and there
> are days I want to give up, there are days I regret not doing this
> sooner. when your young you have so much on your mind, graids,
> boys/girls. daighting so on and so forth, if you have a guide at that
> age it's like being a teen mom, it's going to take away from your
> sosial life.
> with all that being said, my class was filled with a bunch of
> wonderful people part of them still in highschool some of them just
> graduated, and i'll say this, the kids who were in highschool were
> much more mature than some of the kids in college or older.
>
> the paperwork process is enough to wead the not so serious out but
> some slip through unfortunitly. and they end up luzeing their dogs.
> good luck to whoever decides to get a dog, but most of all good luck
> to you younger ones, your taking on alot of responsibility and I think
> if your mature enough for this, go for it and congradulations on what
> ever you decide to do.
>
> p.s.
> i'm not trying to be neggetive but I saw several people have to go
> home early with out dogs and it's utterly heart breaking. I don't want
> anyone to have to go threw that.
>
> On 8/28/12, Shannon Dyer <solsticesinger at gmail.com> wrote:
>> 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
>> (r)  and
>> America's VetDogs(r),  The Veteran's K-9 Corps Inc (r)
>> Providing "Second Sight" (r) 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
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>
>>>
>>>
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>>
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>
>
> --
> Mona
>
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-- 
Mona