[NAGDU] researching about getting a guide dog

[Sherry Gomes]

I knew I wanted to get a guide dog from the time I was seven years old. I didn't really get the concept of independent blind mobility--it was around 1964 and blind kids weren't taught much mobility--but I heard about guide dogs and I knew I wanted one someday. I got my first dog right after high school. I've never regretted that choice. I have always loved dogs and I wanted my own dog. I do feel I have excellent mobility with a dog, but that doesn't mean I think it's better. It's better for me, but it's not necessarily better for everyone else either. I have better balance with my dogs also, due to my lifelong arthritis, and I walk faster with a dog. However, having a guide dog isn't for everyone. It's a 24/7 responsibility, feeding, grooming, vet care, relieving in all weather conditions. It's not an inanimate object you can put away when you get home. After the work is done, the dog still needs play and affection. But it's definitely one of the best choices I made for my life. I don't have a dog right now, but I'm waiting for them to find the right match for me. And I can't wait. All my dogs came from guide dogs for the blind, but I'm not going back there. I've been accepted by two other schools, but with my situation, it's been a long wait so far, as they look for the right dog.

Sherry
Sherry.gomes at outlook.com


-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Star Gazer via NAGDU
Sent: Monday, December 30, 2019 8:33 AM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Star Gazer <pickrellrebecca at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] researching about getting a guide dog

Tracey and Cindy have given you some good feedback. 
The truth is, you really don’t know until you do it if a guide dog is for you. 
That’s true of all types of things though. 
View it as any other transaction, picking a college, buying a house, getting married. 
Nothing commits you forever and it’s good to keep that in mind. 
If you don’t like using a dog, send the dog back. You want to like what you do. 
Do give it time to get over an adjustment period, but also know that you aren’t locked into anything. 

My dad says that nobody likes anything that is new. It’s worth remembering that. 


Sent from Mail for Windows 10

From: andrew edgcumbe via NAGDU
Sent: Friday, December 27, 2019 10:53 PM
To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
Cc: andrew edgcumbe
Subject: [NAGDU] researching about getting a guide dog

Hi  I am just researching about the idea of getting a guide dog. I know it may or  may not be for everybody in a sence because of work involved. I  like to hear about people's experiences and ask questions. I  know it is not for everybody but how do you really know for sure weather it is for you or not for you you might think as a non guide dog user that it may be an option but in a sence  may not fully realize what is involved.  I have been suggested by it i has been suggested by other people i should consider it and stuff like that in the past and think it would be good idea for me.  but in last week or so I decided to start looking into it all on my own. I know you do need good o and m skills. i can walk at least 2 or 3 roots myself.
What is your experience been like with a guide dog would you reckommend thatdog to those who feel like it would be an option to them?  Would you feel a guide dog has made you even more independent
over time did you find you were less independent without one?   like
could you compair if it made a difference or not in your life as a blind person.  and if you have a guide dog why did you even consider getting one?

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