[nagdu] Getting a dog guide

Wed Sep 25 23:23:39 UTC 2013

Shelby,

I am also a GDB grad and knows for a fact GDB does do in home training
for people that can't make it to their campuses. Also like Tina
mentioned, their training sessions are only two weeks long now so it's
a shorter time commitment than other schools. GDB have had several
setbacks in their leadership this past year, but I loved my entire
experience with them, from the application process to the training
itself. Another thing you might considered while looking into training
programs is whether or not they have a veterinary financial assistance
program after graduation. It might not impact your decision, but I
know for me, it was crucial in deciding which school to go to. I'm a
college student and not having to worry about vet bills is a huge
weight off my shoulders. GDB takes care of all the bills as well as
give you the flea and tick preventatives every year.

Hope this helps,
Minh

On 9/25/13, Tina Thomas <judotina48kg at gmail.com> wrote:
> hello Shelby I know that GDB authors a two-week program for those who can't
> be away from their families or jobs and it doesn't matter if you are first
> timer or not they might be worth looking into Tina
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>> On Sep 25, 2013, at 3:59 PM, Shelby Young <blindatbirth at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> Ov looked into them and was set on them until they told me, no in home
>> training. I may email you off list to hear about it.
>> Thanks,
>> Shelby
>>
>> Sent from my iPhone
>>
>>> On Sep 25, 2013, at 5:47 PM, Laurel and Stockard
>>> <laurel.stockard at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>> Hey, my name is Laurel. I'm a grad of guide dogs for the blind, I do know
>>> that they do have in home training as well as the other schools you have
>>> mentioned. I'd be happy to tell you about my GDB experience and answer
>>> any questions you might have, feel free to write me off list at
>>> laurel.stockard at gmail.com
>>> I don't post on list as much, and tend to be more of a private person
>>> when it comes to discussing guide dog schools, but like I said, feel free
>>> to write me.
>>> Laurel and Stockard
>>>> On Sep 25, 2013, at 4:38 PM, Shelby Young wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Hi Mark,
>>>> How long did they come train you for? How many hours a day was it? Did
>>>> they have class lectures or materials they wanted you to read over? When
>>>> the trainer got there, did you get your dog on the first day?
>>>> Thanks for answering my questions.
>>>> Shelby
>>>>
>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>>
>>>>> On Sep 25, 2013, at 4:23 PM, "Mark J. Cadigan" <kramc11 at gmail.com>
>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> Hi Shelby,
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> I have a Fidelco guide dog. Others will bad mouth the school due to a
>>>>> poorly worded ownership policy, and an incident of them reclaiming a
>>>>> dog under circumstances that have never been fully explained to anyone.
>>>>> That being said, I have never had a problem with them, nor have several
>>>>> people I know who are also Fidelco clients.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Like all living things, my dog is not perfect, and has good days and
>>>>> bad. Sometimes he does things that are not ideal, however, 95% of the
>>>>> time, his work is spot on, and I have never had a significant issue
>>>>> with his work.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> The schools give you all the essentials, thus making the startup cost
>>>>> essentially zero. However, you may choose to get some things such as an
>>>>> air tight dog food storage container, a tray to go under the dog boles,
>>>>> or a dog bed. All of these things are useful, but not essential.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Something to think about when considering a guide dog is cost. Some of
>>>>> the recurring costs to consider are:
>>>>>
>>>>> Food (monthly approximately $80)
>>>>>
>>>>> Vet (yearly approximately $150)
>>>>>
>>>>> Grooming (monthly approximately 25)
>>>>>
>>>>> Supplements, flee and tick preventative, ETC (annually $250 EST.)
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> These recurring cost will vary depending on several external factors
>>>>> and will be different for each dog guide handler.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Shelby Young"
>>>>> <blindatbirth at gmail.com>
>>>>> To: <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>>>> Sent: Wednesday, September 25, 2013 4:48 PM
>>>>> Subject: [nagdu] Getting a dog guide
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>> Hello everyone,
>>>>>> I do not have a guide dog yet, but in considering getting one. I have
>>>>>> posted on the blind parents list and blind parents group on Facebook,
>>>>>> so if this is a repeat I apologize.
>>>>>> Where did you get your dog from? Where would you consider getting your
>>>>>> dog from? What breed of dog do you like the best, why and why not? Do
>>>>>> you have children while using your dog? What things what I need to
>>>>>> purchase for my dog before hand, and what things do the schools
>>>>>> usually give?
>>>>>> I am looking into Fidelco guide dogs foundation or leader dogs for the
>>>>>> blind. I talk to Fidelco and like that they do and community
>>>>>> placement. I have a son, almost 14 months old and don't have the
>>>>>> option to leave him for at least two weeks. I spoke with leader dogs
>>>>>> and they said they could come to my home as well. They only do that on
>>>>>> special circumstances though. Leader dogs will send me the class
>>>>>> lectures before hand so I can master them. Does anyone have any
>>>>>> thoughts on either of these schools? Please let me know the good, the
>>>>>> bad and the ugly.
>>>>>> I am not completely set on getting a guy, it's just something I am
>>>>>> looking into and would like as much information as possible.
>>>>>> I apologize for any typing mistakes, I'm using dictation on my phone
>>>>>> and don't have the time to go fix everything.
>>>>>> Thanks,
>>>>>> Shelby
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>>
>>>>>
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