[NAGDU] researching about getting a guide dog

Sandra Gayer sandragayer7 at gmail.com
Tue Dec 31 17:44:20 UTC 2019


Hello,
Before thinking about whether a guide dog is for you or not, have you
ever looked after a regular dog? It would be a good idea to spend time
with a dog, even dog sit so you know the ins and outs of being a
fulltime carer for a large animal along side your day-to-day living,
working and socialising because that is what it will be like. If you
find the idea of spending all day every day with a dog, a fun
prospect, that may not bother you. I echo what other people have said
on this list about getting experience.

I thought very seriously about the guide dog path a few months ago
and, while it isn't the right time for me, I feel it may, possibly, be
a good idea in the distant future. I have pet dogs so I know the care
involved. However, they are not guide dog sized and I will walk
someone else's big dog for free at some point, to get used to the size
and weight. I am a Singer and Actor. A role I had recently uses a
guide dog, although I use a cane. We only spent a few days together
but I was exhausted! (I would add that there were two handlers to look
after him, all I had to do was play his handler in scenes). It is a
learning curve but if if it's something you really want to do, go for
it, knowing that there will be lots of ups and lots of downs. The
people advising you to get a guide dog? I'd pay no attention to them
if I were you, especially if they can see.

It's also worth considering how you move. I find open spaces difficult
and disorientate easily without lines and edges. While it may feel
different and I'd get used to it, the idea of a dog or anyone
constantly guiding me into the open without me physically feeling what
we're going past weird. You won't feel as much detail on the ground
through a dog as you do through the cane's tip. Again, this may not
bother you. Everyone is different and has different needs.

Very best wishes and happy New Year to everyone on the list.
Sandra.

On 12/31/19, Jordan Gallacher via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> I second that.  There are a lot of schools,and apply to as many as you
> think
> will give you what you are looking for.  I know most likely for me if I
> were
> to go to a school for adog, Pilot would be my first choice since I am about
> an hour and a half away in Dayton, OH.
> Jordan
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: NAGDU <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Mike Hingson via NAGDU
> Sent: Monday, December 30, 2019 1:11 PM
> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: mike at michaelhingson.com
> Subject: Re: [NAGDU] researching about getting a guide dog
>
> Andrew,
>
> Again, that is why I suggest you apply to several schools before making any
> decision. There is no charge to submit applications to several schools.
> Deciding to get a guide dog and deciding where to get a guide dog are huge
> decisions. Don't make them without all the information possible.
>
>
> Best Regards,
>
>
> Michael Hingson
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: NAGDU On Behalf Of andrew edgcumbe via NAGDU
> Sent: Monday, December 30, 2019 10:05 AM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: andrew edgcumbe <rollercoasterman86 at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [NAGDU] researching about getting a guide dog
>
> Hi  i don't care if i am treated like family or not but what I do care
> about
> is  having a school i can go to that will  that would i can feel
> comfortablegoing to them with any issues or personal issues  that is what i
> am looking for without total judgment in a sence as a person.  that is what
> i look f would be looking for.  as it would be big step for me to leave go
> out of country for example if going to one outside of Canada.  plus i am
> very picky eater I went to o andm week once at leader dogs even with my
> picky eating thing they  made sure i had something i liked weather it was
> left over ham for example things like that i am very picky eater but that
> asside i was treated well that week for o and m week.
>
> On 12/29/19, Tracy Carcione via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> Hi Andrew.
>> I remember not being sure about getting a guide dog, but decided to
>> give it a try.  That was almost 40 years ago now.
>> At the time, I lived in Minnesota.  I found using a cane in lots of
>> snow to be a real pain.  The dog was a lot easier, because the dog
>> could see where we wanted to go, and also see the clearest path, if
>> there
> was one.
>> But having a dog has its own hassles, as Cindy explained very well.
>>
>> In my experience, the more exercise a dog gets, the better it is, both
>> as a guide and as a house companion.  They're bred to work, and, if
>> they don't get enough work, they get bored and can get into mischief.
>> But, if you have
>> 3 good routs, and have regular reasons to get out and walk around, you
>> should be fine.  And you can build from there.
>>
>> It's a commitment, but not necessarily a life-long commitment.  Some
>> people decide, after a few months, that it's not for them, and return
>> the
> dog.
>> Some people work one dog, then decide for whatever reason not to get
>> another.  And some work dogs for years, then take a break, then go
>> back to it.
>> So, though it's a serious decision, it's one you can change your mind
>> about.
>> Tracy
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of andrew
>> edgcumbe via NAGDU
>> Sent: Friday, December 27, 2019 10:52 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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>
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-- 
Sandra Gayer DipABRSM, LRSM.

Soprano Singer
www.sandragayer.com

Broadcast Presenter
www.rnibconnectradio.org.uk/music-box.html

Actor
www.visablepeople.com

Voiceover Artist
www.archangelvoices.co.uk/content/sandra-gayer




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