[nagdu] expectations of the blind & guide dogprograms'admission standards

[Debby Phillips]

Hi Dan, I've tried writing you privately, but for some reason I 
can't seem to get my emails to send to just you.  Oh well, I'm 
trying.  Anyway, I totally agree with you.  For several years, my 
now retired guide Lamar walked with me the half mile to the 
mailbox and back, and guided me when my husband and I went to 
town.  The problem was when I tried working Lamar in Denver.  I 
was at CCB, and Lamar couldn't deal with the stress of the city.  
I couldn't deal with the stress of him not working, and ended up 
having him go back to my husband, and he eventually was 
officially retired.  He's still ever faithful, and comes up to my 
left side when I get the harness out.

Nova has already had a variety of work situations.  When I first 
came home, I was working in an office where she could be under my 
desk.  Now she has to stay in a kennel during the day, but it's 
very nice.  It's in a well-ventilated room and there are wire 
cages that keep the dogs separate from each other.  It has room 
for her bed, she can walk around in it, has water available.  At 
breaks and lunch, I get her and she can go outside or I take her 
with me into the break room.  She's adjusted quite well to this.  
Some days I take the bus, some days my husband takes me so that I 
have a little more time to get her settled.  My job switch is to 
a job that has much more physical activity.  I have been 
exhausted when I got home every time, (could partly be due to jet 
lag from Florida.  Anyway, Nova hasn't gotten many walks this 
week.  But hopefully as time goes by at work, , I'll be less 
tired.  I enjoy a nice stroll around our neighborhood.  With 
other activities that we're involved in, there's a variety of 
places we go.  She may not get the two to three mile walks some 
people think are ideal, but at this current point in my life, I 
just don't have the time.  Well, it's time for bed, so I'd best 
go.  Nova and Lamar are ready for park time.    Debby and Nova