[nagdu] Why I decided not to owner train.

[debby phillips]

Nicole, with Seeing Eye, from the time I finish my training I own 
my dog.  I don't have to report to the school until I'm ready for 
my next dog if I don't want to.  Sometimes, or so it used to be, 
that if an instructor was in your area they might call and ask if 
you'd like a visit.  Even that doesn't happen anymore.  If the 
school gets a call about abuse, they will then check with the 
graduate, explaining that they received a call, and asking if 
they might be of assistance.  If there is abuse, Seeing Eye 
refers the matter to Animal Control, or whoever the authority is 
in the city or county where the graduate lives.  One of the 
reasons I chose not to go to GDB in the first place was I didn't 
want the annual report and yearly follow up.  I want to call my 
school when I need their help, not when they think I should.  But 
that's personal preference.  So if you feel like that's "Big 
Brother" then perhaps you need to consider whether that's where 
want to get your dogs.  I wouldn't go to a school that I didn't 
like, or agree with, mostly.  It's too important a decision, 
because I would be receiving a dog that might be with me for the 
next ten years.    Peace,    Debby and Neena