[NAGDU] Update On My New Guide Dog

[Rachel Grider]

Hello, Fellow Guide Dog Users:

I have not written in a while because I have been very busy. I brought
my first guide dog Demi home from The Seeing Eye on June 23. She is
amazing!

Adjusting to her has definitely been stressful in some respects, but
most of the difficulties have not really been with her but with how
other people interact with her. I get so frustrated when people pet
and talk to her while in harness!...But, so far, most have been
respectful of the harness rule once I have explained it to them. I
also get annoyed with people who say things like (She's OK) when I
correct her for sniffing them...

Demi herself has been amazing. She needs minimal correction, and she
works very hard while in harness. So far, she has been with me in
rehearsals and performance, she has been in my studio with students,
and I took her camping with me where we hiked quite a bit. I also
stayed in a hotel with her for one night, and she did great guiding me
around the swimming pool.

I consider myself a good cane user, and I used to think I didn't want
a dog because I was perfectly comfortable and mobile with a cane. I
realize now, however, that I am actually more confident with Demi,
especially while crossing streets. I didn't think it was possible, but
it is true. Walking with her is like flying, and, though we still have
some bugs to work out and I am still learning to trust her in some
things (particularly stairs), I feel so much more independent now, and
I actually get very excited about walking places, where before it was
more of a chore.

Cheers!

Rachel