[nagdu] Information about GDB

Thu Jul 5 23:36:57 UTC 2012

Wow Venessa I think you got everything pretty much covered for The Seeing 
Eye, nothing I can think of to add!!  If anyone's thinking of going there, 
check the weather and dress appropriately b/c you will be going out, rain, 
snow, shine, you will work in it, lol.  Nice to see new members on the list, 
I'm Peggy from Nebraska working my little shepherd girl, my fourth dog from 
TSE.

-----Original Message----- 
From: Vanessa Lowery
Sent: Thursday, July 05, 2012 3:54 PM
To: the National Association of Guide Dog Users' 'NAGDU Mailing List
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Information about GDB

Nope, was not Germany or Austria.  It might have been Rumania.  I'll try to 
locate the video tonight.

Again, depending on the school, the class size may vary. For instance, at 
The Seeing Eye, which is where I have obtained all of my dogs, there are as 
many as 24 students in a class.  But in each class, there are (unless things 
have changed), five six instructors and one class supervisor.  I'll have to 
check that.  I think I still have the list of instructors who will be in the 
October class, the first possible class that I may go into.

Anyway, there are four students per instructor.  This gives the instructors 
more time to work with each of us separately if needed.  If some students 
are more confident, they will be partnered together during the class work on 
the streets.  Working with two students at a time saves time as well.

Well, about the only thing you need to bring when you stay on campus is your 
basic toiletries, clothes, any other small personal items that you might 
want to bring (CD players, laptop computers, etc), and some money. 
Everything that you would need is otherwise supplied at the school.

Most of the schools cover the cost of your transportation to and from the 
school, your room, your meals, and the initial equipment for the dog 
(collar, leash, harness, grooming equipment, gentle leader (muzzle), an 
initial supply of heartworm preventative, an initial supply of tick and flea 
control product, a tie down, and I think, the mutt mat.  They used to supply 
a small amount of food, too, but I don't think I traveled home wiht any the 
last time I was there because I already had a supply of food waiting at 
home.  Of course, while there, you can buy additional equipment as needed.

Stay tuned.  I'll share more later.  It is about time for me to pack it in 
and leave work.

Vanessa Lowery, LGSW
Adult and Community Services Division
Adult Services Screening Unit
410-853-3550
VLowery at dhr.state.md.us

>>> "Christel Sogenbits" <christel.chrissu at gmail.com> 7/5/2012 4:42 PM >>>
Hi!

Thank you for the fast answer! I hope that people in this list would not
mind that I am asking so much more...
So I have question about the classes what a person have to take... What are
they teaching there? How many people are in one class?
It would be so so interesting to see how are guide dogs teached in Usa in
different schools...And how  blind and VIP are diffrently using theyr
dogs...
About this braavo I thing that maybe that can be in Germany or Austria...
I am reading this list like a very very good book every day! So so
interesting for me!
Thank you!

Tervitades / With greetings
Christel Sogenbits
GSM: +372 58 440 521
E-mail: christel.chrissu at gmail.com
Skype: christel.chrissu

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Vanessa Lowery
Sent: Thursday, July 05, 2012 11:08 PM
To: the National Association of Guide Dog Users' 'NAGDU Mailing List
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Information about GDB

Kristel,

In the U.S., there are about 12 guide dog schools.  Most are either on the
East Coast or the West Coast of the United States.  There is one in Florida,
one in Texas, one in Michigan, one in Ohio, and I think a smaller one in the
midwest (Kansas, I think).  A very small one is in the process of forming in
another state, but it will be a bit before it is really up and running.

With most of our schools, you go into class on campus.  Depending on the
school, you are there for about three and a half weeks if you are receiving
your first dog, and for two and a half weeks if you are receiving a
successor dog.  One or two schools do offer somewhat shorter classes for
first-time students.  A couple of schools provide the training in your own
community.  Most of the larger schools can also provide home training only
or a mixture of in class and home training if there are special reasons why
this should be done.

I'll let others chime in, oh, but depending on the school, you either own
your dog outright when you leave, can become the owner in a year or two, or
may jsut not decide to take on ownership.  In the case of the school I have
used since 1982, I have owned my dogs outright once I left the school.

I have seen a neat YouTube video of a dog in training from a school in
Eastern Europe, but for the life of me, I can't remember the country right
now.  I can tell you that the dog's name is Max, the instructor is female,
and Bravo is the word used when praising the dog.  The instructor would let
out "bravo" three times very quickly each time Max did something very well.
neat video.

Vanessa Lowery, LGSW
Adult and Community Services Division
Adult Services Screening Unit
410-853-3550
VLowery at dhr.state.md.us

>>> "Christel Sogenbits" <christel.chrissu at gmail.com> 7/5/2012 3:51 PM
>>> >>>
Hello!
I am writing into this list for the very first time and  from Estonia.
In Estonia there are things very diffrent then in USA like I have understand
and learned.
Can please somebody discribe to me how it all is  going on there. Beacuse in
Estonia we dont have any classes or interviues or home visits.
Estonia is a very small country and we have only about 40 active guide dogs
so everybody knows everybody but still it seems to me that it is all very
diffrent and I am very interested to hear everything how and what is going
one in Usa.
I have been wondering about possibilities to come and to some voluntery work
in Usa but I havent been very sucessful at it.
But I have been once in USA Atlanta but not for long and saw only one guide
dog.
I am sorry for my bad writing but if you dont mind then I really  would like
to talk in Skype or other mails.
You are welcome to tell me what is wrong allso.
So please write to me and I hope that I will find nice contacts from here!
My guide dog name is Roosi what means  roses and she is allmost 6 years old.

Tervitades / With greetings
Christel Sogenbits
GSM: +372 58 440 521
E-mail: christel.chrissu at gmail.com
Skype: christel.chrissu

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Melissa Padron
Sent: Thursday, July 05, 2012 10:28 PM
To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
Subject: [nagdu] Information about GDB

Hello,

So I have done my research and I am truly considering applying to Guide Dogs
for the Blind. From what I was able to gather online, it just seems like the
school that would best meet my needs.

What I would like to know is what to expect during a phone interview, home
visit, and just class in general. GDB grads, what did you like or not like
about the school or classes? Any other useful information or general advice
would be greatly appreciative.

You may contact me on or off list.

Thanks,
Melissa

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