[NAGDU] Freedom Guide Dogs

Tue Jun 20 14:21:37 UTC 2017

I am 99% sure that Freedom Guide Dogs is IGDF certified, but you can check IGDF's website. I think the only schools not IGDF certified are Pilot, which I believe is related to the traffic training issue, and also Gallant Hearts, as they are still very very new. But, you can absolutely visit IGDF online. PS, ADI certification is good, but in the highly specialized world of guide dog training, it does not mean much when compared with IGDF certification.

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 Miranda via NAGDU
Sent: Tuesday, June 20, 2017 6:28 AM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Cc: Miranda
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Freedom Guide Dogs

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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