[NAGDU] Hello, An Introduction from Heather With Ilsa

[Michael Hingson]

Heather,

Welcome to the list. I hope you enjoy our discussions and that you will
contribute from time to time. 


Best Regards,


Michael Hingson
Vice President, NAGDU

-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Heather Bird via
NAGDU
Sent: Friday, May 05, 2017 12:26 PM
To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
Cc: Heather Bird <heather.l.bird at gmail.com>
Subject: [NAGDU] Hello, An Introduction from Heather With Ilsa

Hello. My name is Heather and I have a Seeing Eye dog named Ilsa. She is a
black and tan German Shepherd Dog. She just turned two around Thanks Giving
of 2016. She is my second guide from the Seeing Eye, my fourth GSD. I have
previously had shepherds from Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation. 
I am a mother of two boys, who are both visually impaired. My mother is also
blind and also a guide dog handler. My husband and my father are both
sighted. I am a member of NYAGDU, as are my mother and my husband. 
I am also the chapter president for our local NFB chapter in Rochester NY.

Ilsa is very bright, a bit softer than my first TSE shepherd, Frieda, but
just as smart. My husband has an owner-trained psychiatric service dog, a
seven-year-old smooth coat collie named Dante. He is a sable and he is a
very soft, very intuitive sweet dog. My mother has a black lab named Octane
from the Seeing Eye. I have her permission to disclose this fact and as many
of my best guide dog stories involve both her and my dogs, you may see
mention of Octane from time to time.

I am also a member of IAADP. I am an attachment parent, student of social
work, stay-at-home mom and a member of API, and LLLI. I am supportive of
owner trainers, handlers of small breed service dogs, handlers with
invisible disabilities. I am a big advocate of informed choice in guide dog
training program selection, and a big proponent of the rights and
responsibilities of all service dog handlers.

That's the nuts and bolts of me as a handler. Please feel free to ask if you
have any additional questions.

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