[nagdu] My first guide dog and a question

[Mary Wurtzel]

Through many years I kept falling.  I was using my cane correctly.  I would
just hit a crack in the sidewalk or miss a down curb and on the ground I was
again.
This is why I have Filix who is a balance dog as well as a guide dog.  
When I was training with him I did fall still a couple of times.  In my
case, I began carrying a support cane in my right hand as well as having my
dog on my left.  We have been a team for more than one year now.  I haven't
fallen for over a year, that is, when walking with Felix.  I am still
carrying the support cane but may try leaving it some time.  
I was told that after from six months to a year we would get to be a working
team, and that is exactly the way it is.  So I think that time and practice
cements the dog-person relationship and the one unit trust factor.
The school gets tired of me always telling them how wmuch I love having
Filix and what a freeing thing it is for me not to fear falling any longer.
Mary

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jewel
Sent: Sunday, August 04, 2013 10:29 AM
To: the National Association of Guide Dog Users NAGDU Mailing List
Subject: [nagdu] My first guide dog and a question

Hi everyone, 
I would like to introduce my new guide dog, Faye. She is a black lab who
will be two in October. After twenty eight days of intensive training at the
Guide Dog Foundation, we are home and adjusting well. We took our first
neighborhood walk yesterday, which turned crazy when the sky opened up and
rain poured down hard! Good thing she isn't afraid of storms! We got inside
as soon as possible because the rain was compromising my orientation, and
took a cab the rest of the way. Thank goodness I had a towel with me as Faye
got soaked, though I had my poncho, so only my feet and my pants got soaked.
That rain was so uncalled for! 
Today, I am going to walk her to the bus stop and back, and tomorrow we will
go on the bus, probably to the pet store. This week, we will take on the
mall, a shopping area called Cameron Village, and will go briefly to my
college campus. We will work more on the college campus next week, 
So, those are our plans. My instructor at GDF has recommended a follow-up
next week, so an instructor may be here to help with getting Faye used to
the college campus. She is really a great dog, though, and I don't foresee
her having any problems. 
I do have one question however. I lack confidence when walking with her,
especially in new areas. I know my lack of confidence will affect her work
negatively, and I want to continue working on that. My main worry is
falling, which happened once while at school. Does anyone have suggestions
on how to build my confidence? I know practice is important, but I want to
get better about this quicker. 
Yours, 
Jewel and Faye 

Sent from my iPhone
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