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

[Pickrell, Rebecca M (TASC)]

How do we define "successfully" using a guide dog?
I'm curious to know how we quantify, qualify and define?
Anybody want to take a stab at this?

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Lyn Gwizdak
Sent: Tuesday, August 28, 2012 2:23 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] High School students and Guide Dogs...

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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