[nagdu] dogs and canes

[Jody Ianuzzi]

I accompanied  a group of blind students to the mall for Cain practice.  I was shocked at how sloppy there cane technique was. They were out of step and smacking everything around. I kidded them by saying that I was glad I didn't own any of the local stores because I would be afraid they would break my windows. I describe how important it is to have a light touch because it is not only less destructive but you get much more information from your cane. The students also seem to feel that people would get out of their way and that they were not responsible for pedestrian traffic. 

 It seems to me that an article in the braille monitor would be very appropriate to describe the problems that guide dog handlers are having at convention and how important it is to have really good came technique 

JODY 🐺
thunderwalker321 at gmail.com

"There's no point in being grown up if you can't be childish sometimes."  DOCTOR WHO (Tom Baker)

> On Jul 9, 2015, at 9:43 AM, Deanna Lewis via nagdu <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Tracy, 
> You have given some excellent points, that is what I typically do at Convention. Try to avoid the huge crowds as much as possible.  I get really upset when someone is trying to barge through the little bit of space between my arm and my dog. I've kept telling the people that I have a dog, but they don't listen. That is one thing that totally drives me bonkers. Glad I can avoid all of that hassle this year, even though I really miss Convention.
> Deanna and Mambo
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Tracy Carcione via nagdu
> Sent: Thursday, July 09, 2015 9:24 AM
> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
> Cc: Tracy Carcione
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] dogs and canes
> 
> Hi Jack.
> I feel your pain.  There are just a lot more people at the national convention than at state.  Some use their canes well, and some don't.  It also seems to me that quite a few blind people are used to having people move out of the way, so don't alter their course to avoid people. It's hard on the dogs, having a cane-swinging juggernaut coming at them.
> The only solutions I know are to try to leave the general meeting early, or stay late, so as to avoid the rush.  Also, give your dog some down-time.
> Hang out in the room, or go outside and find a spot he can have some nice sniff time.  My guys seem to find a good sniff very relaxing.
> And, though it's not easy, try to stay calm yourself, because your dog will pick up on your aggravation.
> I did threaten to break the cane of some idiot who managed to get his cane through my harness handle, while my dog was standing by my side.  What the heck was the cane doing up so high! 
> Good luck.  Take a deep breath, stay calm, and try to avoid the crowds as best you can.
> Tracy
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jack Rupert via nagdu
> Sent: Thursday, July 09, 2015 8:45 AM
> To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
> Cc: Jack Rupert
> Subject: [nagdu] dogs and canes
> 
> Hello everyone,
> 
> 
> 
> If you are here at the convention I hope you are having a good one.
> 
> My dog and I seem to be having a problem fighting the canes and I'm not sure
> 
> how to handle the situation. This is the first time I have been to a national convention,
> 
> but I have attended state functions and have really not run into this problem?
> 
> I try to tell people that I'm using a service dog and some gain users respect that I have told them
> 
> that there is a service dog in their area and please be careful. My guy seems to be really stressed
> 
> all the canes that are swinging around and not even touching the ground. I do have some vision
> 
> so I have the opportunity to attempt to walk around these groups of people who do not seem to know how to use their cane.
> 
> 
> 
> I believe this is an item of discussion as those of us who use guide dogs know and realize how important
> 
> they are for us to help us get around independently and safely.
> 
> 
> 
> Jack Rupert,
> 
> Minnesota national Federation of the blind Riverbend chapter president
> 
> national Association of blind veterans, first vice president elect.
> 
> Guide dogs for the blind/America's Vetdogs alumni,
> 
> 
> 
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