[nagdu] Attending Training Centers with a Guide

[Marion Gwizdala]

    I am of the conviction that cane travel is the fundamental skill of 
orientation & mobility. This is the reason nearly every guide dog training 
program requires proficiency in cane travel skills prior to obtaining a 
guide dog. The NFB training programs recognize this fact and require all 
students to use the cane as their primary O&M tool while at the center.
    I also assert that there are times when a guide dog is not the best 
choice for mobility, e.g., going to a concert, visiting a friend's house who 
would prefer to not have a dog in it, or in inclement weather. Under these 
circumstances, I want to be as independent and mobile as I am with my dog, 
so maintaining good cane travel skills is essential.
    i would also like to further comment on my statement about visiting a 
friend who would prefer to not have a dog in their house. I am not of the 
belief that is held by some that "if they don't want my dog, they don't want 
me!" Some have allergies to dogs and some just don't want a dog in their 
house. I love my dog and cannot imagine a person who doesn't like dogs; 
however, I am separate from my dog and don't feel that it is any reflection 
on me if someone prefers to not have a dog in their house. There are also 
some gatherings in which children are not welcome. I am not offended when an 
invitation is extended to me and not to my children. JMHO!

Fraternally yours,
Marion Gwizdala



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "tina birenbaum" <tinabir at samobile.net>
To: <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, October 18, 2012 11:15 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Attending Training Centers with a Guide


> good! @ that she didnt back down. i asked about that at our convention 
> recently of someone who works at once of those training centers to be told 
> the dogs are taken care of during the day and students expected to use 
> canes. I woud do as your friend Dar if i were a dog user and going to one 
> of those. the cane would be the back t up to my dog.
> Original message:
>> How often will you use the cane once the classes are over?
>> If not that often, then I would keep using the dog.
>> I would bring the dog especially if I didn't have anyone to watch it
>> for me during the day.
>> I have a friend who went threw the center sharing that she has the dog
>> for traveling, and that was how she was going to travel.
>> They gave her grief, but she didn't back down.
>> Wishing you the best.
>> Original message:
>>> Hi all,
>>>   I am considering attending a training center for some refresher work
>>> more specifically cane work.  I am one of those guide dog users that
>>> has found themselves less than confident when the need arises to use a
>>> cane.  Anyways, I am wondering if any of you have attended a training
>>> center as a guide dog user and how you managed your classes and using
>>> a guide dog.  The training center is a residential program so I am not
>>> sure what to do as far as bringing the dog to classes and how that
>>> would all work since I am guessing the center would want me to use a
>>> cane more often then my dog.  Sorry to ramble but I am just not sure
>>> how it will all work out.  Anyways thanks for any help you can give me
>>> Jolynn and Megan
>
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>
>> --
>> --Dar
>> skype: dmgina23
>>   FB: dmgina
>> www.twitter.com/dmgina
>> every saint has a past
>> every sinner has a future
>
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