[nagdu] News broadcast, a boy and his guide dog

[Tracy Carcione]

The K9 buddy program really bugs me.  In fact, it was a factor in my
choosing to switch from GDB to TSE.  It just seems so patronizing.  Like,
"blind children need special dogs for companionship.  Not just any dog can
deal with such odd creatures as blind children.  And they really need a
companion in their lonely darkness."  That's what it sounds like to me, at
least.
The "companion in my lonely darkness" stereotype is one that annoys most
of the dog users I know.  And GDB is extending it to blind children. 
Gack.
Tracy


> http://www.guidedogs.com/site/PageServer?pagename=programs_dog_k9buddy
>
> K9 Buddy and Community Canines
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Some of our dogs are better suited for jobs other than guidework. Certain
> specially-selected dogs are chosen to become K9 Buddies to blind children;
> others continue to support our mission by becoming Community Canines with
> agencies and organizations for the blind, search and rescue, companions
> for
> the blind who can no longer have a guide and other capacities, including
> hearing dogs.
>
> Our goal is to maximize each dog's potential. Labradors, German Shepherds
> and Golden Retrievers are working breeds and they are often most happy
> when
> given a job to do.
>
> Our staff selects dogs that are not destined to become mobility partners
> for
> placement as K9 Buddies for legally blind children and as Community
> Canines
> with blindness professionals and agencies to provide companionship and
> improve quality of life. Community Canines are placed with blindness
> professionals working with children in schools or in the community.
>
> Our goal is also to maximize our impact on quality of life through
> partnerships with these wonderful, loving canines.The dogs come from Guide
> Dogs' own colony, but are not qualified to work as mobility assistance
> dogs.The dogs available to be placed as Community Canines and K9 Buddies
> are
> black and yellow Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, and Labrador
> Retriever/Golden Retriever cross breeds.Most are young dogs that are
> unsuitable to be Guide Dogs for medical or behavioral reasons, but would
> make excellent companions. Guide Dogs for the Blind strives to match each
> individual dog with a home that meets the specific needs of both the dog
> and
> the adopter.
>
> What others say about the K9 Buddy Program: "Although not a mobility dog,
> the K9 Buddy placed in our home has made a huge impact on our family.
> Since
> they've become a pair, our daughter has done better in school, has more
> self
> confidence, and her relationships with her classmates have improved."
>
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Learn More:
> Read more about applying for a K9 Buddy in our Youth Programs!
> Read the story of Gilley, a Community Canine
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Larry D. Keeler" <lkeeler at comcast.net>
> To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Tuesday, January 03, 2012 4:25 PM
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] News broadcast, a boy and his guide dog
>
>
>> I'm wondering if they baught one of the career change dogs or if its an
>> actual guide dog?
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "loriandleo" <loriandleo at ohiohills.com>
>> To: "the-dog-park" <the-dog-park at yahoogroups.com>; "nagdu"
>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Tuesday, January 03, 2012 7:09 PM
>> Subject: [nagdu] News broadcast, a boy and his guide dog
>>
>>
>>> Hi all,
>>>
>>> This is for anyone who's with Guide Dogs For The Blind.
>>>
>>> This evening we were watching the news . They had a story about a nine
>>> year
>>> old boy in Texas who received a guide dog from Guide Dogs for the
>>> blind.
>>> The
>>> reporter said it was a"buddy dog". They showed a team from the school
>>> who
>>> brought 5 or 6 dogs with them.
>>>
>>> I always thought that you had to be at least 18 before getting a guide
>>> dog.
>>> Is this a new program?
>>>
>>> Actually my boyfriend wants to know.
>>>
>>> Lori and the Gipper
>>>
>>>
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>>
>>
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