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

[rhonda cruz]

I think it takes a lot of trust to  be able to work with a guide dog.
 i've learned a lot from my first dog.
 but i am still learning every day.

On Nov 3, 2012, at 6:04 AM, Marsha Drenth wrote:

> 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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