[NAGDU] O&M Programs at Leader Dogs and Pilot Dogs

[Lisie Foster]

Hi, I have a question not directly related to guide dogs, but related to guide dog schools and O&M.

I emailed both Leader Dogs and Pilot Dogs asking whether I'd qualify for their accelerated O&M programs. I'm almost totally blind at night (I have light perception) and am now considered low vision during the day. Leader Dogs wrote back quickly and said that I could absolutely apply and that it does accept low vision, as well as legally blind clients into its AOM program. She said they're currently scheduling into October. I heard back from Pilot quickly, as well, but was left a little confused as to whether I'd be a potential candidate or not. Their answer was a bit ambiguous, so I'm not sure.

I wondered if anyone here has ever attended the O&M programs at either Leader Dogs or Pilot Dogs? I know Leader's is only one week, versus two at Pilot, which is nice. I'd been favoring applying to Pilot's program, as they're much closer to me, but based on the response, I'm not sure whether to apply there or not. 

I know I'm doing this backwards! I have a program-trained hearing dog who is also an owner-trained guide dog; until very recently, he only worked as a guide at night. But, since my overall, daytime vision has begun a rapid decline that will result in legal blindness and beyond, I know that despite the time and effort I put into learning the basics of O&M, what I was able to teach myself is simply insufficient for the level at which I'll need to be skilled if I want to independently navigate environments beyond the fairly comfortable, quiet suburban streets to which I'm accustomed. 

If anyone has been to, or knows anything about, either school's O&M programs, I'd love to hear from you either on list, or please feel free to email me at lisiefoster at yahoo.com. Thank you so much!

Lisie & The Gold One
lisiefoster at yahoo.com
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