[nagdu] ownership RE: Guide Dog Schools
Larry D. Keeler
lkeeler at comcast.net
Fri Nov 1 02:39:39 UTC 2013
Not sure! I thaught we could send our dogs back if we had issues but, if we
didn't we kept them. I'm not sure? If Holly didn't work for some reason, I
would have sent her back or just shut up and kept her anyway!
----- Original Message -----
From: "Hannah Chadwick" <sparklylicious at gmail.com>
To: "'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'"
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, October 31, 2013 10:21 PM
Subject: [nagdu] ownership RE: Guide Dog Schools
> Chantel,
> Thank you for the correction.
> Can someone please define complete ownership when it comes to guide dogs?
> I
> mean, if we get complete ownership, then doesn't that mean I'd get to keep
> the dog no matter the age when that dog stops working? I'm just curious
> since I was told that I had to send my dog back to the school because she
> didn't work out but she was only 3.
> Thank you, hannah
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Chantel Cuddemi
> Sent: Thursday, October 31, 2013 7:08 PM
> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Guide Dog Schools
>
> Hanna,
>
> Pilot Dogs gives us graduates full ownership of our dogs upon graduation
> from the program.
>
> Hope that helped,
>
> Chantel and Motley of Pilot Dogs.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Hannah Chadwick
> Sent: Thursday, October 31, 2013 7:56 PM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Guide Dog Schools
>
> Yes, GDB can provide more financial help if needed. I think that larger
> schools tend to have more follow-up services because they have more funds
> as
> well as trainers. I don't think Pilot gives complete ownership, but I
> could
> be wrong since that wasn't one of my concerns when I applied. Pilot also
> trains boxers and Dobermans in addition to what Raven mentioned.
> On one hand I think that it is important to have a breed preference, but
> on
> the other, I think it is the training that matters the most. There are
> good
> things and bad things about every breed of dog. The work you put in is
> what
> you will get out. The more effort you put into your dog will mean more
> success with your team. When you get your dog, please remember that the
> bonding process takes between 6 months and a year. As in my earlier
> email,
> please feel free to email me off list if you want to know about Pilot or
> Guide Dogs for the Blind.
> Good luck, Hannah and Spritzie
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Raven Tolliver <ravend729 at gmail.com
> To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org Date sent: Thu, 31 Oct 2013 19:39:50 -0400
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Guide Dog Schools
>
> Hi,
> I attended Guiding Eyes for the Blind primarily because I wanted an adult
> dog. As a person who never owned or handled a dog before, I thought it
> important to have a dog that was physically and mentally mature, and had
> established mannerisms. I wanted a golden retriever, and goldens and
> German
> shepherds have a better work ethic as adults.
> This has been proven in studies of guide dog programs and service dog
> programs.
> I also chose GEB because of the financial assistance. Students are
> allotted
> $200 annually, and if your dog is 10 pounds within their target weight,
> the
> student is given another $100. There is also an emergency fund, but it
> can
> only be used once during a particular dog's career. The GDB grads can
> correct me if I'm wrong, but I think GDB gives more financial assistance
> than this. Grads from that program can explain the logistics better.
> As far as what breed of dog is best at guide work, that depends on the
> person. I have always adored the gentle nature and laid-back temperament
> of
> a golden, and I would not want to live with the high energy and quirkiness
> of a typical labrador. German shepherds are very serious about their
> work,
> but they have high energy requirements.
> All
> three breeds are extremely loving, loyal and obedient if you bond with
> them
> properly. All three breeds have double coats, so they both shed a lot. I
> do not know as much about the other breeds put out by Pilot dogs, but
> people
> have success with them, so you would have to ask the handlers of poodles,
> dobermans, and Vieszlas.
> You have to decide for yourself what you like or don't like in a dog.
> And the personality is just as, if not more, important than breed.
> Also, know that if you are picky about breed that it may take longer to
> find
> you the right dog and get a class date. I was fortunate that my golden
> was
> available so soon after I applied, but I knew that being choosy might mean
> a
> longer wait.
> To determine which school might be right for you, you should rate the
> following factors by importance to you.
> location of school, home-training program, special needs program, cost of
> the program, length of program, financial assistance, follow up services,
> ownership policy, training methods, choice to meet and keep in touch with
> your dog's puppy-raisers, graduation ceremony, breeds offered, life stage
> of
> dogs issued These are just what I can think of for now, but there are more
> factors that others will bring to your attention.
> If ownership is important to you, the Seeing Eye, Pilot Dogs, or Guide
> Dogs
> of America are options. If you don't understand why ownership is
> important
> to some people, then I will explain upon request, because it is a very
> serious issue that every service dog handler should have proper
> understanding of.
> If home-training is important to you this is offered by Fidelco, Guiding
> Eyes, and a couple other programs. Guiding Eyes usually does
> home-training
> with returning graduates, but they have been known to approve it for first
> time trainees.
> I would encourage you to complete your training with your first guide dog
> at
> the school if it is at all possible and convenient for you. The benefit
> is
> that you will not likely feel alone in the struggles you will experience,
> and also, you can get great training and doggie care tips from experienced
> guide dog handlers. In addition, you could develop long standing
> relationships with other classmates, which was a plus for me.
> Good luck, and email me off list if you want to know more about my Guiding
> Eyes experience.
>
>
> On 10/31/13, Shickeytha Chandler <shickeytha at gmail.com> wrote:
> Thank you all for your responses. I have actually been leaning toward a
> lab or a golden because I have heard in the past that those types of dogs
> are very loyal and have an even temperament. But at the same time, I
> want
> to have an open mind and consider what other types of dogs might have to
> offer. By the way, I love the names of all three of your dogs. Great
> dog
> names!
>
> On 10/31/13, minh ha <minh.ha927 at gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi Shickeytha,
>
> I want to echo what Hannah said in her email. I am working with my first
> guide, Viva from Guide Dogs for the Blind on their Oregon campus. As a
> college student, financial and post-graduation support were the two most
> critical aspects that I was looking for in a guide dog school. I felt
> like
> GDB provided both of these and I really liked their positive training
> methods as well as the respectful way they treat their handlers.
> Regarding
> the breed of dog, I think that ultimately needs to be your decision.
> Each
> individual has their preference and people are going to tell you their
> choice is the best.
> GDB only works with labs and golden retrievers. My girl is a lab and I
> couldn't have asked for a better dog; she's extremely energetic and
> playful, but she's an excellent worker once the harness goes on.
>
> Minh
>
> On 10/31/13, Chantel Cuddemi <jawsgirl87 at gmail.com> wrote:
> Welcome to the list!
>
> I am working my first dog from Pilot Dogs, a standard poodle named
> Motley!
>
> We've been a team for a year and eight months.
>
> Good luck with what school you choose!
>
> Chantel and Motley.
>
> On 10/31/13, Hannah Chadwick <sparklylicious at gmail.com> wrote:
> Hey,
> Welcome to the list. I'm working my second guide, Spritz. She is from
> Guide Dogs for the Blind. She is a black lab; I got her over the summer.
> Since I'm a college student and having had a previous dog that was very
> high-maintenance, I knew I would need financial assistance and after
> support. Those were two of the major things I looked for when I applied
> to
> schools. The training methods (positive vs negative) used in schools
> also
> mattered to me. Of course which may vary on an individual and team
> basis,
> but I've come to realize that food rewards go a long way. My first dog
> was from Pilot because I wanted a poodle, but she retired after almost a
> year. My training experience at Pilot was good, but I wasn't as
> experienced so I didn't have the necessary tools to manage such a
> high-strung dog. Please email me off-list if you have further questions.
> Good luck with the application process and all that.
> Best, Hannah and Spritz
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Shickeytha Chandler <shickeytha at gmail.com
> To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org Date sent: Thu, 31 Oct 2013 14:08:20 -0400
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Guide Dog Schools
>
> No problem. I understand that different people have different
> experiences
> and perspectives, and I think it is important to consider both positive
> and negative. Thanks.
>
> On 10/31/13, Mike <blinkin4342 at gmail.com> wrote:
> As a Fidelco client I completely disagree with the statement that
> Fidelco
> has contract issues. The issues are definitely personal and not
> Fidelco's
> fault.
> I have had nothing but good experiences with Fidelco over the last three
> years and I know a lot of people who feel the same way. There are a
> certain
> handful of folks on this list who have personal issues with Fidelco and
> tend
> to be much louder than the people who have good experiences.
> You should definitely read the contract to make sure you are aware of
> the
> rules. That is the case with any guy dog school. Just keep an open
> mind.
> Every school has good and bad things. Every school has someone who
> loves
> them and hates them. I'd recommend that you decide what breed you want,
> see
> what school meets your needs the best, and go forward from there.
>
>
> Mike
>
> On Oct 31, 2013, at 12:18 PM, "Larry D. Keeler"
> <lkeeler at comcast.net
> wrote:
>
> First, watch out for Fidelco! They have contract issues.
> Before
> you
> decide, make sure you read and understand the contract. The
> other thing,
> schools when possible do give you a choice. Now always can
> they
> accomidate
> but usually they can. I went to Pilot because I wanted a
> poodle. They
> breed them down there. However, I ended up qith a labradoodle
> wich is
> almost as good! As for training at school or at home, I think
> it
> would be
> more useful to train at hom. But, if you know your
> neighborhood, it
> doesn't matter as much.
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Shickeytha Chandler"
> <shickeytha at gmail.com
> To: <nagdu at nfbnet.org
> Sent: Thursday, October 31, 2013 11:44 AM
> Subject: [nagdu] Guide Dog Schools
>
>
> Hello all,
>
> I am new to the list. I currently travel with a cane, but am
> very
> seriously considering getting a guide dog in the near future.
> I
> am
> doing research on guide dog schools to see which might be best
> for me.
> I am considering Fidelco, Guiding Eyes and the Seeing Eye.
> Does
> anyone
> on this list have either particularly positive or especially
> negative
> experiences with any of these schools? If so, I would be
> interested to
> hear your feedback. Also, I noticed that Fidelco does training
> at your
> residence, whereas the other schools bring you to their
> campuses
> for
> training. I would like to hear perspectives about the
> disadvantages
> and advantages of each of these methods of training.
>
> Finally, I know that various types of dogs are trained as
> guides,
> ranging from labs to German Shepherds. I would like to know if
> schools
> give you a choice as to what type of dog you are paired with.
> Also, I
> would be interested to hear from anyone who has worked with
> dogs
> of
> various kinds; I'd like to know your thoughts as to whether
> there are
> distinct qualities that one breed possesses that another breed
> does
> not generally possess. Of course, I am sure all dogs are
> unique, even
> within a breed type.
>
> I know that is a lot of questions for one email. Thanks in
> advance for
> any insight that you can provide.
>
> Shickeytha
>
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> --
> "All men dream, but not equally. Those who dream by night in
> the dusty
> recesses of their minds, wake in the day to find that it was
> vanity:
> but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act
> on
> their dreams with open eyes, to make them possible." T. E.
> Lawrence
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> --
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>
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