[nagdu] Getting a Guide Dog Soon!

Thu Feb 26 21:17:46 UTC 2015

Hello:

Pilot Dogs will reimburse you for half of your vet bills up to $200 per
year.  If you join the alumni association that amount goes up to $250.  You
have to pay the total vet bill yourself. Then you have to send them a copy
of an itemizedbill.  They will then send you a check in the amount of half
the total bill.

Getting a guide dog is a big decision.  I can speak from experience about
how tough it is financially.  However, I have made it work for almost forty
years.  You don't have to feed some fancy high-priced food.  There are
excellent quality foods available from grocery stores.  Often they will have
sale prices or discount coupons in the weekly store sale ads.  There are
also discount web sites for toys, treats and grooming supplies.  You can
work with your vet and maybe make monthly payments if you are not able to
pay the entire bill all at once.  You can also ask church groups and your
local lions club for help.  Don't give up your dream of getting a guide dog
just because you are on a limited income.  I would also advise you to apply
to more than one school.  It is good to give yourself more than one option.
Good luck.    

Sandra and Golden Princes, Eva

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Danielle Antoine
via nagdu
Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2015 3:16 PM
To: Cindy Ray; NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog
Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Getting a Guide Dog Soon!

Hi Helga,
I do know that GDB Guide Dogs for the Blind gives a vet stipend annually and
last I checked it was $250. I would like to know of any other schools who
give this as well or something similar. I know most will cover extraordinary
costs within the first year though. While I am unfamiliar with pet stores
giving discounts on food and other care items, I have heard of online sites
giving discounts or coupons to ALL patrons and their may be some that
require membership which I will have to check. Also, I used to belong to an
organization called IAADP International Association of Assistance Dog
Partnerships where you qualifed for specific discounts on meds and such. Not
sure if they are still in existance though as one of the founders has passed
away. Yes, check around with different veterinarians to see if they offer
some typs of discount, what this applies to, and which dogs qualify. Some
will offer a percentage off of all services while others will only discount
vaccinations. It is their choice and they aren't required to off any
discount. AAlso, be sure t weigh vet discounts against all the other
discounts and perks you can receive elsewhare because sometimes Great
service is worth sacrificing for. I do know that Petsmart has a Pet Perks
program and I think their vet works on a flat rate membership basis.

To your question of health insurance for dogs, there is that but it's my
understanding that it covers major medical expenses and works just like
traditional health insurance for humans where there are deductibles and
such. I had written some names and numbers down but that is not accessible
to me at this time.
HTH and hope I didn't overwhelm you,
Danielle
PS. All of this info is on the aoub tPetsmart can be found on their website.
You get a card and a key card and everything!

On 2/26/15, Cindy Ray via nagdu <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> I have never had a dog work until it was eleven I don't think. I don't 
> like a policy like that, but in my case maybe it would be better so I 
> don't push the dog beyond where it is willing to go. I still wouldn't 
> care much for that policy. It will be interesting to see how it will be
enforced.
> Cindy
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Marion 
> Gwizdala via nagdu
> Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2015 1:31 PM
> To: 'Helga Schreiber'; 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association 
> of Guide Dog Users'
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Getting a Guide Dog Soon!
>
> Helga,
>
> 	It is very important that someone wishing to get a guide dog have
the 
> financial ability to care for it. There are health insurance programs 
> to help cover the cost of veterinary care; however, the food and 
> grooming supplies for a guide dog could run about $600 per year. Be 
> sure you are ready for this!
>
> 	Also, please be advised that Southeastern now has a policy that one 
> retires their dog at or before age 11. Though this seems inconsistent 
> with what they call an ownership policy and I don't know how they will 
> ever enforce such a policy other than requiring you to return the 
> harness, it is important that all consumers understand the policies of 
> the programs they attend. I have had two guide dogs that worked well 
> past their 11th year, both of them from Southeastern. Go figure!
>
> Marion Gwizdala
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Helga 
> Schreiber via nagdu
> Sent: Wednesday, February 25, 2015 3:55 PM
> To: National Association of Guide Dog Users
> Cc: Florida Association of Guide Dog Users
> Subject: [nagdu] Getting a Guide Dog Soon!
>
> Hi everyone! How are you all? I'm getting a guide dog soon! I did not 
> apply yet, but i'm going to apply this weekend to the school or next 
> week! But first I wanted to ask you all some questions. I'm concerned 
> about some things. I know that wen you have a guide dog you have to be 
> very responsible and be able to take good care of him or her, and you 
> guys really inspire me a lot! My OM instructor told me that I'm ready 
> in order to get a guide dog, but my concerns and also my family are 
> vet expenses and be able to provide for the dog! I currently lieve on 
> an appartment, and I go to school and I don't work yet, but i do have 
> SSI. However, my family and i have money to sustain ourselves, but I'm 
> not so sure that I'm going to be able to sustain the dog so well. You 
> know vet expenses and food, toys, and many other things! Do you know 
> if there is a dog insurance or some kind of program that can help me 
> with all these matters untill I get good finantial income? I'm just 
> owndering since I  really want to ahve a dog, and I'm ready for it!
> And
> I'm going to apply to Southeastern Guide Dog school! I will really 
> appreciate it a lot if you can help me with these matters! Hope to 
> hear form you soon. Thanks os much and God bless!
>
> Helga Schreiber
>
> Fundraiser Coordinator for Phi Theta Kappa, Alpha Delta Iota chapter.
> Member of National Federation of the Blind and Florida Association of 
> Blind Students.
> Member of the International Networkers Team (INT).
> Independent Entrepreneur of the Company 4Life Research.
> Phone:  (561) 706-5950
> Email: helga.schreiber26 at gmail.com
> Skype: helga.schreiber26
> 4Life Website: http://helgaschreiber.my4life.com/1/default.aspx
> INT Website: http://int4life.com/
>
> "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that 
> whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 
> 3:16 Sent from my iPhone 
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