[nagdu] How to measure a sucessful guide dog team?

Sat Nov 3 13:04:53 UTC 2012

I am changing the subject line, the question is below. Perhaps this is why no one has responded to the thread the subject line needed to be changed. 

Marsha drenth  
Sent with my IPhone 
http://adventureswith2feet4paws.blogspot.com 

On Nov 1, 2012, at 9:41 AM, "Pickrell, Rebecca M (TASC)" <REBECCA.PICKRELL at tasc.com> wrote:

> 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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> 
> 
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