[nagdu] Perspectives on Guide Dogs

[Daryl Marie]

Hi, Rachel!
Welcome to the list!

My name is Daryl, and I live with my husband, guide dog, and three cats in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.  The waiting/application process for a guide dog is exciting and frightening, and training is all those things.

I will answer your questions as best I can.

1. Based on your experiences, which dog breeds do you feel make the best guide dogs and why?
- I am only on my first guide dog, a black Labrador
 retriever; I can't offer any breed insights for you.

2. How have the dynamics in your home been changed since you got a guide dog, especially your relationships with family and other pets? If so, how do you keep a balance between your relationships?
- We have three cats, and that was the hardest part of creating a balance in our house.  Jenny had to learn the cats' "language". We had to teach her not to jump at the cats... thankfully one of the cats was incredibly patient with her and showed her what behaviors were acceptable and what weren't.  All three cats have learned to co-exist with Jenny - one is her friend, one tries to play with her, and the boss cat tolerates her existence (which is about the best we can hope for from such a grumpy cat).
- As for my husband, we've had to set boundaries, and we have made mistakes here.  It's been a bit of a shift, figuring out what information my husband could or should give while Jenny is guiding me... we're not all the way there, but usually (as an example) my husband will pick up the coffees and pastries at the bakery while Jenny finds us a table.

3. Do you feel that people tend to be drawn to you because of your dog rather than your own qualities? If so, have you done anything to change that?
- A little bit, yes... but I find that people also tend to respect my autonomy much more with a dog than with a cane.  If I am doing some work with Jenny, or we get a bit lost, they will take me at my word that we are OK much more readily than they did when I traveled with a cane.
- Most people will tell you that they like your dog, or give other comments... it's simply a biproduct of traveling with a cute dog.

4. Have any of you ever been aware of housing or job discrimination because of your dog? If so, please explain.
- Not me.  Back to my point #3, I find that I seem to be magically granted more respect with a dog.  Two years ago, I spent five months unemployed, and I went to over 50 interviews with a cane.  A year ago, I went to one job interview with my dog... and got the job.  I doubt there's a direct correlation, but that was my experience.
- The only workplace problem that I've had has been with a coworker.  She is terrified of dogs, and her cubicle used to be beside mine.  She requested a move to another cubicle on the other side of the office where we didn't have to interact, and in the 10 months I've been here we've only had two run-ins.

5. Where and when do you believe it is appropriate to have your dog with you, and where and when should one leave the dog at home? For example, is it appropriate to take your dog to a job interview?
- Similar to point #4, yes, take the dog to a job interview.  If a prospective employer doesn't see the guide dog in action, or your interaction with it, they may be more concerned about its presence (right or wrong, this is the way of the world).  During my job interview, with Jenny curled up beside my chair, about 1/2 of the way through the interview, another interviewer opened the door and startled Jenny awake.  She let out one quick "Woof!"  I told her it was ok, to lay back down.  Without missing a beat, my future boss said, "Oh, that's OK; we all react that way when we see Jon."
- I would not take Jenny to a home where she is not welcome.  I would not take her to a rock concert (though I might do that once I purchase the MuttMuffs that I plan to in the next month or so). Those are the two main places I wouldn't take her, but everyone is different.
- In situations where she has been overly distracted, I am more likely to leave her at home to give her a break.  Sometimes a night's rest isn't a bad "reset" button.

6. For those of you who are fond of sports such as running, hiking, and the like, are you able to use your dog as a mobility aid while participating in these activities?
- There are others on this list with more experience in these areas than I... I plan on buying a sport harness shortly to enjoy jogging and running with my guide.  But from what I understand, with activities like running, it would be harder to pick up on guiding cues, so IMHO it would be best to do these in reasonably familiar areas.

7. Do you think it is appropriate for a mobility instructor te use a guide dog?
- I don't quite understand this question; sorry!

8. What are some of the emotional benefits that your guide dog has provided you?
- She makes me feel safe.  On our third day of training, she pulled me out of the path of an oncoming bus, and always has a full respect for traffic.  I have posted previously about some of the adventures we've had - including the time I got more lost than I've ever been in my life - and still been able to remain calm in a situation that would terrify me with a cane.
- She loves me unconditionally, even on days where I am demanding and cranky.

9. Have you ever encountered folks who had dog alergies or fear of dogs? If so, how did you deal with that?
- I have addressed this in question #4.  To be honest, I understand a fear of dogs, but I will not tolerate blatant disrespect.  I have two goalball teammates who aren't fans of dogs, and one of them once asked me not to take Jenny on a shopping trip.  I told her that it was MY decision to make, and while I would've decided to leave her behind anyway - it was a very rough weekend - but she was not to make that demand of me, period.

10.  What are some ways of finding a balance between treating your guide dog as a "soul mate" and simply using the guide dog as a mobility aid? I know that some of you might have extremely intimate relationships with your dogs and think of them on equal terms with a child or spouse. While I see nothing wrong with this, I personally do not want to think of my dog that way; I want it simply to be my partner and my companion. I do not want it to get in the way of my relationships with my human family. I also, however, want to give my dog no less attention and love than any animal deserves. What are some ways of developing healthy boundaries with your dog?
- That's a tough one.  Honestly, the best advice that I was ever given during training was: "Jenny is a dog. She will help you navigate, and because of that she is a tool; but she is a living, breathing creature with needs and quirks... don't forget that."  My husband and I love spending an hour at the off-leash park, walking, talking and listening to Jenny run around like crazy.  This gives us a chance to connect, and shows Jenny that while we love her, WE have our own relationship.

11. As blind people, we know that using a guide dog instead of a cane makes no difference in the independence of the person. The average sighted person, however, is not educated in our mobility aids, and many of them have their own preconceived ideas about why one may use a cane or a dog. Based on your experiences, do you balieve that the overall public perception would favor a cane user or a dog user? For example, do you believe that you might have a greater chance getting a certain job if you brought your dog or your cane to the interview? Another example: Do you believe that a sighted person would be more or less inclined to want to date a blind person with a dog or without one?
- I think I addressed the perception of sighted people previously.  But if you want more of a take on this, I wrote a blog post here:
http://blindbeader.wordpress.com/2014/08/27/cane-vs-dog-the-perception-of-blind-travel/
- My husband - a sighted man - dated and married me while I used a cane. I have only worked with my guide for a year.


I hope this helps!

Daryl