[nagdu] guide dog schools with poodles for allergies

Tue Jun 4 23:03:56 UTC 2013

This is also what GDF does for people with allergies. Sometimes the Poodle
hair/fur proves to be an issue where another breed or particular dog isn't.
We've sent plenty a bag of fur to applicants to test. They can take it to
their doctors, do a simple exposure test by leaving the bag open near them,
etc. Most people who will have a reaction will do so within an hour, usually
15 minutes or so really. 

Granted, we only do this for people with documented allergies to dogs, or
whose immediate family members who live with them have such allergies. 

Jenine Stanley
jeninems at wowway.com
http://www.twitter.com/jeninems

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Steven Johnson
Sent: Tuesday, June 04, 2013 6:27 PM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Subject: Re: [nagdu] guide dog schools with poodles for allergies

Gary, this is the way Leader Dog tests for allergies.  Actually, all of the
dogs are tested so when the student that has that request for a
hypo-allergenic dog, they can match accordingly.

Steve

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of GARY STEEVES
Sent: Tuesday, June 04, 2013 12:48 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] guide dog schools with poodles for allergies

Hi All:

As many of you may recall I'm one of those who has harnessed the skills of
the poodle. :)

First, I agree that people can still be alergic to poodles but working in
health care I like the belief that people have and the fact that Bogart does
not shed.  I will always have poodles but I do agree that they are not  for
everyone. Bogart is my first guide dog but from my comparisons with those
who have labs he is a bit of a handful to handle at times. With the poodle
comes a certain personality, boldness and perhaps a bit too smart. These are
good qualities but it means when working him you have to be prepared for his
belief that he can guide you, check out  that  pigeon and get the attention
of that nice lady walking towards us. Maybe he can, maybe he can't but I
have to keep reminding him that his number one focus is me. Not lots of
leash corrections with that skinny poodley neck, but a lot of talking and
using of words and tone to keep him involved.

I had talked with Lucas from Seeing Eye and they were looking at a way of
getting a sample from a couple dogs they had in mind for you and being able
to have the person get tested to see if they were allergic to those
particular dogs. (don't know if they test the dogs to see if they are
allergic to us as well)

I hate generalities so if she decides to pursue poodles then she should talk
to the head trainer at that school and be very honest about her lifestyle
and her personality. My thought is that with a poodle you need to be very
patient, firm and soft, and really trusting. It is good to let them figure
things out with only  friendly prompts from the handler.  I'm sure this can
be true of any dog but from what I gather poodles are a special breed.

Gary

]----- Original Message -----
From: Jenine Stanley <jeninems at wowway.com>
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tue, 04 Jun 2013 05:22:52 -0600 (MDT)
Subject: Re: [nagdu] guide dog schools with poodles for allergies

Thanks Steve, 

This is what we tell people, that even Poodles can produce dander that's
allergenic. They do also shed, granted far less than other breeds, but they
do shed. For that matter, so do we, and all mammals with hair or fur. 

People often mistakenly want Poodles thinking they will be more acceptable
by the public because they are hypoallergenic or don't shed and hence will
be more tolerable in private cars and homes and such. They don't realize
that Poodles take a certain type of handling and life style and don't always
fit the person's abilities. 

I know that I am not a Poodle handler. They generally are way too much dog
for me to manage, as would be a shepherd or collie. I'm a retriever person.
Knowing that helps me when it's time for a new dog. 

Yes, there are exceptions to every breed type but generally, Poodles aren't
for everyone. I applaud those on this list who have had repeated successes
with them. 

Jenine Stanley
jeninems at wowway.com
http://www.twitter.com/jeninems

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Steven Johnson
Sent: Monday, June 03, 2013 9:39 PM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Subject: Re: [nagdu] guide dog schools with poodles for allergies

Leader no longer trains poodles, and ceased their poodle breeding as poodles
have been proven to not be hypo-allergenic contrary to popular belief. 

Steve

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jenine Stanley
Sent: Monday, June 03, 2013 1:28 PM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Subject: Re: [nagdu] guide dog schools with poodles for allergies

All, 

GDF does train Standard Poodles for people with allergies. The wait though
from completion of application to class is around 1 year to 18 months. We do
offer ownership upon graduation in most cases. 

The other schools that I know of that train Poodles include of course Pilot
Dogs, Freedom Guide Dogs, Guide Dogs of the Desert and possibly Leader still
trains a few Poodles but not sure on that one. I can't speak for anyone
else's ownership policies. 

HTH

Jenine Stanley
jeninems at wowway.com
http://www.twitter.com/jeninems

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Darla Rogers
Sent: Monday, June 03, 2013 2:15 PM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Subject: Re: [nagdu] guide dog schools with poodles for allergies

Dear Janice,

	None I know of other than Pilot in the United States.
Darla

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Janice Toothman
Sent: Monday, June 03, 2013 8:31 AM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: [nagdu] guide dog schools with poodles for allergies

Hi Everyone,
I have a friend, who wants a poodle because of allergies. What guide dog
schools besides Pilot offer poodles? If possible what is the schools
ownership policy?  Thanks.
Janice

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