[nagdu] Happy Story

Thu Mar 29 14:48:39 UTC 2012

Well, in my case, I was fortunate to have a great instructor. And as a
first time guide dog handler, she really helped me a lot. I am a
person of great judgement, and if I knew that what she was telling me
wasn't the best thing for me, I wouldn't have listened. I am certain
that bringing home the other guide dog would have been a disastrous
experience. I mean, the dog was terrified of heavy traffic. She could
have endangered us both.

On 3/28/12, Pickrell, Rebecca M (TASC) <REBECCA.PICKRELL at tasc.com> wrote:
> 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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