[nagdu] Follow-up

[Margo and Arrow]

But, Tracy, it should be up to you to get that follow-up and not the
school's mandatory follow-ups.  

Margo and Arrow

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Tracy Carcione
Sent: Thursday, April 18, 2013 1:09 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: [nagdu] Follow-up

The discussion about staff cutbacks got me thinking about follow-up
services.  Some people said that in-person follow-up is really only needed
for serious problems, and maybe some of us have gotten lazy and called out
the field rep for something we could figure out ourselves.  I'm not sure I
agree with these opinions.
I like follow-up, at least in the beginning of a new partnership. I always
wonder if more prompt and effective follow-up would have saved my shepherd
from having a nervous breakdown.  Perhaps I was asking more than he could
give, but perhaps there were things I could have done differently.  I do
know that a follow-up visit near the beginning of my relationship with Echo
made a huge difference.  She was having a left tendency, and I asked if
someone could come have a look.  Not a serious problem, but it was really
bugging me.  A trainer came out and saw in 5 minutes that I wasn't holding
the harness exactly over Echo's back, and it was confusing her.  He fixed my
position; I practiced for an hour or so, and the problem was solved forever.

I stopped being bugged with Echo, and our relationship got a lot happier and
easier.
When I got Ben, I also had some follow-up at first.  It resolved some
things, and not others, but I was glad to have a bit of help.  I haven't
wanted any for years.  I may have someone come have a look, when I start to
think Ben is saying he'd like to retire, just to be sure I'm not missing
something.  Or I may not.
Anyway, I think follow-up at the beginning, even for problems that don't
seem serious, can be really helpful.
Tracy


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