[NAGDU] Update On My New Guide Dog

[Buddy Brannan]

Oh Rachel, welcome to our world. Yep, you've pretty much nailed all of the most awful downsides to using a guide dog. Doesn't take long to learn about those, sad to say, but I'm sure you're doing fine. The pros definitely, for me anyway, outweigh the cons. 

Enjoy your new girl. :)

--
Buddy Brannan, KB5ELV - Erie, PA
Phone: 814-860-3194 
Mobile: 814-431-0962
Email: buddy at brannan.name




> On Aug 11, 2016, at 2:48 PM, Rachel Grider via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> 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
> 
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