[nagdu] Application Process

[Craig Heaps]

Brandon:

I recieved my guide dog, Chase, from GDB in San Rafael last July.  My 
application process took about a year and a half, but that's probabaly 
unusual.  I have some useable vision, and my O&M skills -- all self-taught--  
were not what GDB was looking for.  So I had to get some formal O& M 
training.  I had some other things going on in my life that concerned the 
admissions committee as well.  They were not major, but the committee 
expressed concern they would add stress in the training process.

Once I satisfied their concerns, the lead time was about three months to the 
beginning of my class.  I wrote a blog during the training and beyond.  I 
began it the day before I began training. In it, I talked about the details 
of my training as well as my feelings as I progressed through it.   If you 
think it might be helpful for you, you can find it at
craigdogdays.blogspot.com

The earliest entries are, as in most blogs, at the bottom and work up from 
there.

Good luck.  Would you be at the California or Oregon campus?

Craig and Chase




----- 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: Monday, May 05, 2014 9:15 PM
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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