[NAGDU] Guide dog schools

Thu Jul 21 21:05:33 UTC 2016

Hello Andy,
I'm biased because I only ever considered The Seeing Eye after I did a youth
seminar there in high school, so I'm only vaguely familiar with the other
schools. I don't know if there's a school out there that will fulfill all
the things your seeking. I have felt nothing but respected by the staff at
Seeing Eye. Seeing Eye lets you own the dog outright, but for a first dog,
you have to train for four weeks on their campus (I believe there are other
options when you're going back for another dog). Similarly, Seeing Eye has
great support, they'll give advice over the phone but also come and help you
out at home), but I believe they've cut back on their financial assistance
if something happens to your dog (not 100% sure on this). Seeing Eye is in
New Jersey, and I don't know if there's a closer school to Virginia, but
your travel to and from the school is included in the fee you pay for the
dog and training and equipment (when I trained with Mopsy, it was $150). So
do you have priorities? What, in your answers to all these excellent
questions that you're considering, is most important to you? What are you
willing to bend on? Seeing Eye has been amazing for me from day one, but
like I said, I'm super biased, and everyone's needs are different.
Hope this is helpful.
Jameyanne and Mopsy

-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Andy B. via NAGDU
Sent: Thursday, July 21, 2016 4:35 PM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Andy B. <sonfire11 at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Guide dog schools

I have done extensive research on most of the schools out there. However, I
don't want to choose one if it appears to look good but has a bad reputation
with most owners. Here are the answers to the questions asked. Note that I
was approved for a dog at Leader dogs in Michigan. This was in 2003-2004.
However, I never attended because living conditions forced me to move down
state.

what do you want in a school?
Respect and dignity from the staff members. Both for me and the dog. They
must not discount or push aside any of my experiences in life, or lack of
such experience.

How much time can you spend there?
No longer than 4 or 5 weeks.

Would you want to have a home turn over, or do something that was a
combination of going there and returning?
Both at home work and at their campus.

What is their ownership policy, and do you want to own your dog outright or
do you want it to be a rental?
Own it outright.

How far would you want to travel to get the dog?
I want to stay as close to home as possible [Virginia].
What do you want in after graduation support?
Lifetime support with occasional training at home. If possible, financial
support for extreme situations.
-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Andy B. via NAGDU
Sent: Thursday, July 21, 2016 6:49 AM
To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
Cc: Andy B. <sonfire11 at gmail.com>
Subject: [NAGDU] Guide dog schools

Hi everyone,

I will start the process of applying for a guide dog soon. The only stopping
point now is which school to attend. Can owners give their experiences and
recommendations on what one to attend?

Thanks for your thoughts.

Andy Borka

_______________________________________________
NAGDU mailing list
NAGDU at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NAGDU:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/cindyray%40gmail.com

_______________________________________________
NAGDU mailing list
NAGDU at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NAGDU:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/sonfire11%40gmail.com

_______________________________________________
NAGDU mailing list
NAGDU at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NAGDU:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/jameyanne%40gmail.com