[NAGDU] A dog? a cane? which will it be

[Raul A. Gallegos]

This is well put. Another thing I would like to add is that I do not blame dog handlers for some of their believes about not having to use or not needing to use canes. A lot of this was also pushed by many schools many years ago. For example, schools might often say, don't use your cane since you now have a dog, you don't need it. So the handler would feel this. If the handler was not a good cane traveler, perhaps a handler would feel that the Dog would liberate them. I don't know how other schools approach this now, but the field rep from guiding eyes is definitely a pro cane person. During the home training that I have been receiving, at one point he mentioned, you are at an office supply store, you're looking for something you need specifically. Why don't you take your cane out and find what you need since the dog is taking you around everything? It was such an obvious thing that I mentally smack myself in the head. He mentioned specifically that there is absolutely nothing wrong with a dog users are having a cane with him or her just in case it is needed for finding certain things or quick browsing of your surroundings. Not only does it add another tool to the travel box, but it also takes the stress off the dog. This is the kind of approach that I absolutely agree with, so it has made my home training that much more positive. So what I am doing now to help carry my cane everywhere I go, is strap my NFB collapsible cane inside the carrying pouch that it came with, onto one of the arms of the harness using to tie cords. This makes it possible for me to take the cane out while leaving the pouch attached to the harness, then I can use it if I need it, then when I am done I simply collapse the cane and put it back. It does not add extra weight or cause an in balance with the dog.


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Raul A. Gallegos
Assistive Technology Trainer - RGA Tech Solutions

Mobile: 832.554.7285
Work: 832.639.4477
Personal Email: raul at raulgallegos.com
Work Email: training at rgats.com

“Any teacher that can be replaced with a computer, deserves to be.” – David Thornburg


> On Feb 10, 2017, at 9:13 AM, Cindy Ray via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> InIn my first class when I got a edog, there was a person who had absolutely no travel skills. She had no idea how to tell when the lights were green ... nothing. We spent part of one of our travel routes working with her on this, and her trainer worked with her in the halls on skills. They were skills that had should have already been acquired. I saw another person like that. It is stressful for people to have absolutely no mobility skills. I miss using my dog, and I'm not sure my mobility skills are what they used to be. I think it is too bad when a mobility instructor tells someone they would be a good candidate for a dog. I think almost anyone would if they want one and are willing to make the commitment, but I think some of the people who are told this are people who, with a little more practice and commitment, will be crossing streets straighter. There are reasons why they might not though. I feel that mainly the final decision is someone's choice. The cane for the NFB has always been the symbol of independence and that continues, but that doesn't mean that the Federation believes people should not have dogs. I think that is a theory that needs to be put to rest.
> 
> Cindy Lou Ray
> cindyray at gmail.com
> 
> 
> 
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