[NAGDU] time to think about which guide dog school to apply to

[Brenda]

Hello List,

this week my pet dog Sadie passed over the rainbow bridge.  She was 15 
years old and we had a wonderful life together. She is playing with her 
cat sisters who have gone before her. I will miss her and am still sad, 
but she is no longer suffering so I'm at peace.

As my vision waned over the years, I became more and more interested in 
getting a guide dog, but sadie who was an APL rescue didn't like other 
dogs. I did get O&m training to maintain my independence and have been 
using my skills and now I am ready to apply for a guide.

I have been surfing the guide dog school websites and reading posts from 
here and elsewhere about different guide dog schools and am now trying 
to sort things out.

Several schools at the top of my list do not grant full ownership. This 
concerns me, but other than that I like the schools.  One school that 
does grant ownership is in California.  I live in Ohio and don't want to 
be on a plane for a long time.  that may be silly, but I can't get over it.

So...I would appreciate Listers input/opinions/guidance/thoughts on my 
situation.

the school I really like is Guiding eyes for the Blind.  They do not 
grant ownership at all, but I have not heard/read  anything negative 
about them. I doubt they are in business to develop teams only to take 
the dog away.

My intent is not to debate ownership issues.  I want to learn Listers' 
experiences with nonownership schools with the focus on GEB.

Thanks for any input.

Brenda