[NAGDU] Guide dog schools

[Julie J.]

Disclaimer, I've not attended any guide dog program.  I have owner trained 
or hired a private trainer.  I have poured over all the schools offerings, 
talked to numerous trainers, handlers and family and have just about 
memorized that GDUI survey.

Based on what you are saying the two schools that come to mind are The 
Seeing Eye and The Guide Dog Foundation, in New Jersey and New York 
respectively.

GDB, GDA  and GDD are clear out in California.  GEB, Leader, Southeastern do 
not give immediate ownership.  Some of the other schools are regional only 
and I don't think you are in their service area.  Pilot is in Ohio, but they 
don't do in person follow up and I think you have to pay for transportation 
to the school.  Gallant Hearts is in Mississippi, but they have a 
coownership agreement and I don't know if that fits in with what you want. 
It's also a small school and I have no clue about wait times or follow up.

I'd just pick one or two and start the application process.  Remember you 
are evaluating them just as much as they are evaluating you.  If at any time 
during the process you get a bad feeling, just politely pull your 
application and move on to other options.

I wish guide dogs were like cars and you could take them for test drives and 
negotiate options, but no such luck!  All my best on your adventure!

Julie
Courage to Dare: A Blind Woman's Quest to Train her Own Guide Dog is now 
available! Get the book here:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QXZSMOC
-----Original Message----- 
From: Andy B via NAGDU
Sent: Thursday, July 21, 2016 4:37 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Cc: Andy B
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Guide dog schools

>From what I could tell, Seeing Eye looks like it would be the best fit. They 
have everything I am looking for in a guide dog school. I can bend on the 
financial help if needed. However, the other points are nonnegotiable. Based 
on what you shared, it sounds like they will meet all of the other needs.


Sent from my iPhone

> On Jul 21, 2016, at 5:12 PM, Nancy VanderBrink via NAGDU 
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>
> My husband would be more knowledgable than I but I believe GDB helps with 
> vet costs to some extent.
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>> On Jul 21, 2016, at 4:36 PM, Andy B. via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>
>> 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
>>
>>
>>
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