[NAGDU] Freedom Guide Dogs

Tue Jun 20 10:27:58 UTC 2017

As I understand it, yes. They are. Please, someone do correct me if I am wrong. In fact, looking through their recent newsletter archives, John Byfield was appointed to a committee within the international guide dog Federation. I do not imagine that a school with such a world renowned instructor on staff being appointed to such a position would not be involved in this Federation. This is a great question. Thanks for asking!

Best wishes, Miranda

Sent from my iPhone

> On Jun 19, 2017, at 11:55 PM, Charlene Ota via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> I'm just curious, is Freedom Guide Dogs part of the Guide Dog Federation?
> I'm probably not calling that organization of guide dog schools the exact
> proper title and I apologize, but am just curious.
> 
> Charlene
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Heather Bird via
> NAGDU
> Sent: Monday, June 19, 2017 3:52 PM
> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Heather Bird <heather.l.bird at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Freedom Guide Dogs
> 
> John Bifield is truly amazing. He helped start the home training aspect of
> the GDF program. He helped start the Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation as well,
> turning it from a breeding program providing GSDs to various guide dog
> programs and other programs using GSDs into a guide dog training program in
> its own right, then he went to Freedom Guide Dogs, which like Fidelco is
> another purely home training program. He is really excellent. I cannot wait
> to meet him. He is a legend, seriously.
> 
> Heather Bird
> "They came first for the Communists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't
> a Communist.
> Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew.
> Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak up because I
> wasn't a trade unionist.
> Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn't speak up because I was a
> Protestant.
> Then they came for me, and by that time no one was left to speak up." -
> Martin Niemöller
> In our diverse society we must never fail to speak up in the face of Human
> Rights violations lest we be the next targets of such violations.
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of NAGDU President
> via NAGDU
> Sent: Monday, June 19, 2017 3:31 PM
> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
> Cc: NAGDU President
> Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Freedom Guide Dogs
> 
> Miranda,
> 
>    My wife, Merry Schoch, has had two guide dogs from Freedom. The
> first did not work out but that was not the fault of the training program.
> Her current dog is a Collie/Lab cross and she will gladly tell you that, of
> the four dogs she has had from three different programs, it is the best dog
> she has had. John Byfield, literally the most experienced guide dog trainer
> in the world, is a trainer with Freedom and will be speaking during the
> NAGDU seminar on July 10. If you are planning on coming to our national
> convention, I would be happy to introduce you to John. If not, you can join
> us virtually through our live stream. More on the live stream will follow!
> 
> Fraternally yours,
> Marion
> Marion Gwizdala, President
> National Association of Guide Dog Users Inc. (NAGDU) National Federation of
> the Blind
> (813) 626-2789
> President at NAGDU.ORG
> 
> 
> The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
> characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise
> expectations because low expectations create barriers between blind  people
> and our dreams. You can live the life you want! Blindness is not what holds
> you back.
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Miranda via NAGDU
> Sent: Monday, June 19, 2017 1:06 PM
> To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
> Cc: Miranda
> Subject: [NAGDU] Freedom Guide Dogs
> 
> Hi everyone,
> First, let me preface this by stating that I am not wishing to put one
> school above another or cause any tension on this list. You have all been so
> helpful in answering my many questions, and I do not want to take advantage
> of that gracious assistance by any means.
> As I have been researching possible dog guide schools, one program that
> intrigues me is Freedom Guide Dogs, as they conduct at-home training. As a
> college student with some time commitments during the fall and spring
> semesters, this option seems appealing to me. However, I would like to
> obtain any feedback or experiences prior to pursuing this further.
> If you wish to contact me privately off list so as to not clutter the list
> or cause  trouble, please feel free to do so.
> My email is: knownoflove (at) gmail (dot) com.
> Again, I humbly apologize for any inconvenience this message may cause.
> Thanks as always for your time and assistance, and have a wonderful week!
> 
> Best wishes, Miranda
> 
> 
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
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