[NAGDU] questions on when to get a dog and how it affects international travel

[Tracy Carcione]

In addition to Julie's excellent points, different countries have different
laws about guide dog access.  My dog was welcome everywhere in Ireland.  I
don't know about laws in Singapore.
Also, some dogs thrive on a lot of travel, and some get stressed out by it.
If at some time you do decide to get a dog, be sure to let the program you
choose know about your lifestyle, so they can try to pick the dog that will
suit you best.
Mike Hingson, who is on the NAGDU board, and on this list, travels a lot,
and could probably give you good advice.

BTW, I also work in IT, but on the technical side.
Welcome to the list.
Tracy


-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Ryan Boudwin via
NAGDU
Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2018 5:18 AM
To: NAGDU at nfbnet.org
Cc: Ryan Boudwin
Subject: [NAGDU] questions on when to get a dog and how it affects
international travel

Hey everyone,

I was recently diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa. I'm pretty early in the
progression; my mid-periphery is gone but I still have reliable central
vision and some far periphery, but it will get worse over time.

I am now using a cane and have stopped driving. At what point would it make
sense for me to consider getting a guide dog? I'm 33 and pretty active. I'm
employed in IT management and I like to go hiking a lot. I walk very fast.
I am assuming I have too much usable vision to get a dog right now but I'm
wondering at what vision loss threshold should I look into it?

My other question is that I travel for work from the USA to Ireland 1-2
times a year for 1-2 weeks each time. I may end up needing to travel to
Singapore occasionally as well as we are opening an office there.
Maintaining my ability to travel for work is important to my job and I enjoy
travelling internationally. How do you take a service animal on a long haul
flight like that? Should I just revert to a cane for trips like that? If I
did that how would my dog handle my absence? I have a wife and three kids,
so the dog wouldn't be alone but I've heard guide dogs struggle with
absences sometimes.

Ryan Boudwin
ryanboudwin at gmail.com
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