[NAGDU] First Dog

[d m gina]

I couldn't figure out where to follow you at,
wishing you the best.

Original message:
>                                 Dear Colleagues,



>                 Some of you may already know that my beloved German shepherd
> guide dog, Sergeant, passed away in early September. I have not shared it
> too widely, as I am a fairly private person when it comes to my guides and
> have had a pretty challenging time adjusting to his passing. We are not
> really positive why he passed away but we suspect liver cancer, as we found
> he had nodules on his liver leading to a diagnosis of chronic hepatitis in
> February of last year. We were treating the symptoms and he seemed to be
> responding well but took a turn for the worse on August 31 and passed away
> on September 9.



>                 I share this with you as a prelude to let you know that I
> will be meeting my potential new guide dog and NAGDU's First Dog next
> Friday, February 23. Trooper is being trained by John Byfield of Freedom
> Guide Dogs in Cassville, NY. Trooper is a Blue Merle Smooth-Coat Collie who
> stand about 28" at the shoulders and currently weighs in at about 66 lbs.
> The Blue Merle is a silvery gray marbled with black and tan markings all
> marked with white areas on the chest, neck, feet/legs, and tail tip.



>                 There are some major reasons I chose Freedom Guide Dogs for
> my next dog. One reason is the opportunity to train with John Byfield. For
> those of you who do not know John, he is probably the most experienced and
> well-respected guide dog trainer in the world. John began training guide
> dogs in the U.K. at the age of 20 and just recently celebrated his 80th
> birthday, though you would likely not guess him as much more than his
> mid-60s. This is likely due to his walking several miles every day while
> training young pups for the past 60 years. Training with this legend will be
> an honor and very exciting.



>                 Another reason I have chosen Freedom Guide Dogs is because
> of their unique breeds. I am unaware of any other guide dog training program
> with Collies in their strings. They have a very soft temperament, lots of
> energy,  and an incredible work ethic.



>                 Freedom Guide Dogs also conduct exclusively community
> training, meaning they bring the dog to you and train you in your home town.
> At the same time, though, Trooper has been prepared to live and work my
> lifestyle. Since I travel a lot, he has been exposed to flying, busy city
> traffic, and subways - something we do not have here in Florida. They have
> kennels in Cassville but no dormitories.

>                 My final consideration for choosing Freedom Guide Dogs - and
> something I share with anyone asking me which program I recommend - is that,
> when I am finished with my training with Trooper, he is my dog, free and
> clear. Freedom will provide me with any follow-up I need but relinquishes
> any ownership interest in him. They will not and cannot remove him for any
> reason whatsoever. Such a policy respects the dignity of me as a blind
> person, ensures a safe, sound team, and creates a relationship based on the
> expectation that I am an adult with the ability to independently care for my
> dog and make decisions about his care and training without their
> interference. I have no hesitation asking them for help if needed because I
> am confident they will not interfere with my ownership rights.



>                 I intend to document my training from the time I meet
> Trooper for the first time next Friday, begin my training regimen, and while
> John puts us through our paces throughout Tampa and the surrounding areas.
> If you would like to follow Trooper and me on our exciting journey, please
> subscribe to my blog, "Marion's Musings" at



> http://mariongwizdala.wordpress.com



> Let's take this adventure forward!



> Fraternally yours,

> Marion Gwizdala



> 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.



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-- 
--Dar
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every saint has a past
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