[nagdu] Application Process

[Brandon Olivares]

Thanks Daryl. I’m glad to hear any perspective, whether or not you graduated from GDB.

I’m in western New York, so yeah it can get quite cold, and the snow is rather frustrating. Luckily now we’re headed into the warmer months and I think the snow is done, though it is still a bit chilly.

I’ve been paying attention to all the feedback around me while traveling, and thinking about how I can use that with a guide dog. I think it’ll be quite different, a very different way of thinking about the environment around me, but I think I can do it. I’d appreciate any feedback you have about that.

One thing I think will help me is that I have a very good sense of objects around me. I can “hear” when a large object is near me, such as a building, or even a pole.

But yes the transition should be interesting. Thanks for your input.

Brandon
On May 6, 2014, at 12:24 AM, Daryl Marie <crazymusician at shaw.ca> wrote:

> Well, for what it's worth, I didn't go through GDB, but if you walk that much, you'll have a very happy guide dog!  Most schools will want to see if you can navigate confidently, they want to see your walking pace so they can match you with a dog that fits that pace, etc.
> 
> Overthinking is normal (I do that myself).  While you are waiting, think about your cane. I know that sounds silly, but seriously.  Think about the feedback you receive from your cane, and consider what parts of that feedback are important to you.  I was a very VERY tactile cane user, so thinking about this made the transition to dog a little easier.  It drove me crazy when people told me that the feedback will be different - just because something is true doesn't mean that the comment is helpful. But someone mentioned this tidbit and I found it incredibly valuable.  Do you live in a warm climate? Cold climate?  This will also determine some of your feedback (especially cold climate, since canes are all but useless in snow)
> 
> .This is probably not what you were looking for directly, but if you want to, please feel free to write me off-list. I've had my dog Jenny for just over 8 months, and I am willing to help in ay way.
> 
> Daryl and Jenny (who spent 45 minutes happily chewing a HUGE bone and now has lovely smelling doggie breath)
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Brandon Olivares <programmer2188 at gmail.com>
> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Mon, 05 May 2014 22:15:57 -0600 (MDT)
> Subject: [nagdu] Application Process
> 
> Hello,
> 
> I recently applied to GDB. I know there are some other GDB graduates on this list, so I’m curious about the process. Of course I’ve spoken to the admissions staff and heard about the process, but I’d like to know what I should be expecting? What will they be looking for? I’ve never applied for a guide dog before so I am a bit nervous.
> 
> I’m 25 years old and have been working with a cane for 20 years, and my mobility skills are quite good. I walk from a mile to a mile and a half almost every day. We’re in an area where we can walk just about anywhere: the grocery store is just down the road, there are several restaurants in easy walking distance, and it is a nice residential area where I enjoy walking daily.
> 
> Like I said this is my first time, so I don’t know how strict they are with applications. I tend to overthink things so I’d like to hear from anyone else to put my mind at ease a bit.
> 
> Thanks,
> Brandon
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