[nagdu] Happy Story

Wed Mar 28 15:16:43 UTC 2012

Yes, I agree with Tracy.
I think of instructors kind of like doctors.  They have a different perspective then me.  They know things I don't. In most cases they do want you and the dog to succeed.  But, they don't know me as a person. And, they don't have a clue what living with a guide dog 24/7 is really like.  It's easy for an instructor to think that an issue isn't a problem if they won't be the ones who have to live with it.  Likewise, it's easy for a handler to be too close to a situation to use good judgement.

Everybody has to listen to each other to make it all work.

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Tracy Carcione
Sent: Wednesday, March 28, 2012 9:08 AM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Happy Story

I gotta quibble with this.  Sometimes instructors know best, and sometimes
not.  I've had some truly excellent instructors, and some who didn't seem
to know any more than I do.  Daniel had faith in his instructor, and wound
up hurting, physically and emotionally.  Sure, have confidence in your
trainer and your school, but have confidence in your own judgement as
well.

On a whole other angle, one of my classmates had to have a dog change,
because, during Juno, he'd walked faster and wanted a harder pull than he
could actually manage comfortably long-term.  After a couple days with his
first dog, the trainer could tell that he was getting a sore back and
having trouble keeping up with his dog, so she switched him to a slower
one, and he was happy.
The moral being, it works best to show Juno the way you really walk, not
the way you wish you did. Or something like that.
Tracy

>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Natalie
>> Sent: Tuesday, March 27, 2012 6:39 PM
>> To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Happy Story
>>
>> Hi Juanita,
>> That is so awesome, and I know you're pleased.  I love when things work
>> out
>> well between one and her or his guide dog and the trainers get to see it
>> happen, especially when there was an initial mismatch or trepidation
>> around
>> a reissue.  Liam was a reissue and before I'd gotten him, I'd had
>> trepidation.  Not knowing why the dog was reissued, how long the dog
>> would
>> be able to work, were contributors to that trepidation.  However, with
>> the
>> situation of Liam's previous handler passing on suddenly and certain
>> experiences in my life that have made me more open-minded, it is evident
>> to
>> the GDA field rep as well as others who know Liam and me that we were a
>> match made in heaven.  Congrats to you, and may that love and mutual
>> partnership keep on throughout eternity.
>> Best,
>> Nat and Liam Joshua
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Juanita Herrera" <juanitaherrera1991 at gmail.com>
>> To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Sunday, March 25, 2012 12:31 AM
>> Subject: [nagdu] Happy Story
>>
>>
>>> Hello All!
>>> As a lot of you know, I have only had my guide dog, Anise, for a
>>> little over two months. When I first received her, I was terribly
>>> afraid that things weren't going to work out with her and I. I was
>>> terrified because during training I had to switch dogs. The dog I had
>>> before Anise during training became afraid of heavy traffic, and she
>>> would run away from me while I was getting ready for  crossings. My
>>> instructor felt that it would be best to switch my dog because the
>>> areas I am usually in are congested with traffic. The switch between
>>> dogs was extremely difficult for me and it affected me emotionally.
>>> Upon leaving the program, I felt that the time I had spent with Anise
>>> wasn't enough to determine whether or not we'd be a successful match.
>>> However, GDB has supported me 100%. Immediately after I returned home
>>> from training, they sent my instructor to my home area to observe
>>> Anise and I, and to review any concerns I might have had. She was down
>>> in California working with me for a whole week, and I feel that helped
>>> me tremendously. My field representative has also kept in touch with
>>> me via phone, and just last week, Anise and I met up with him. He told
>>> me that we are doing great as a team, and that he didn't find any
>>> issues. Honestly, I feel that the switch between dogs was the best
>>> thing that could have happened. Although it hurt me when it happened
>>> now I realize that Anise was truly the dog for me. We are doing great
>>> with bonding, and we seem to be adjusting quite well to each other. As
>>> for the dog I had before Anise, I'd always have a difficult time
>>> controlling her. She would refuse to listen to me. Now, I realize that
>>> things happen for a reason. Well, just thought I'd share this with
>>> everyone.
>>> Best,
>>> Juanita And Anise
>>>
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>>
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