[NAGDU] Service Dog Questions

[Julie Johnson]

To the best of my knowledge I have not heard of any blindness agency 
purchasing guide dogs of any variety, even from a program.   If it is the 
policy of the agency to purchase dogs from other sources, then I think it 
reasonable to explore the idea of purchasing a dog for the purpose of owner 
training, but there would be a lot of issues to be worked out.   Would the 
customer have to repay the agency if the dog doesn't become a guide?  Would 
the agency also pay for food/vet bills/equipment/misc. training expenses? 
The purchase of the dog is perhaps only one tenth the entire cost associated 
with owner training.

When items like computer software or  Braille notetakers are purchased, you 
know exactly what you are getting.  If the item does not work, there is 
customer support, warrantees and replacements available.  It doesn't work 
like that with dogs.  If the dog doesn't work as a guide, you are out the 
time and money.  A breeder is only going to guarantee the health of the dog 
and the particulars of even that will vary from breeder to breeder.

There are resources for owner training, but there is no textbook or step by 
step class.    Some of these resources are free, some are low cost and 
hiring a trainer to help is going to be expensive.

In all honesty, there are lots and lots of things that would make my life a 
load easier.  Some of them are blindness specific.  One of those self 
driving cars would be nice.  I don't think my state agency is going to be 
buying me one anytime soon though.

Julie
On The Go with Guide-and-Service-Dogs.com
http://www.guide-and-service-dogs.com
also find my products in the Blind Mice Mega Mall
<https://www.blindmicemegamall.com/bmm/shop/Directory_Departments?storeid=1916046>
-----Original Message----- 
From: Marianne Denning via NAGDU
Sent: Wednesday, September 11, 2019 9:59 AM
To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Cc: Marianne Denning ; Andrews,David B (DEED)
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Service Dog Questions

I have never heard of an agency purchasing a puppy. The risk of the dog 
working out is pretty high. I mean the risk of the dog not working out is 
pretty high so if I were a counselor I’d be pretty hesitant. There are lots 
of resources out there on how to train your own dog and I am in the process 
of training my own.

Sent from my iPhone

> On Sep 11, 2019, at 9:10 AM, Andrews, David B (DEED) via NAGDU 
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>
> Hi:
>
> Our General Rehab agency has asked me a question. One of their customers 
> has requested that they purchase him/her a puppy that this person will 
> train to be a service animal.
>
> Has anyone ever heard of a rehab agency purchasing a puppy.  Secondly, are 
> there resources out there for people who are training their own service 
> animals.
>
> Dave
>
>
>
>
> David Andrews | Chief Technology Officer
> Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
> State Services for the Blind
> 2200 University Ave West, Suite 240, St. Paul MN 55114
> Direct: 651-539-2294
> Web<http://mn.gov/deed> | Twitter<http://twitter.com/mndeed> | 
> Facebook<http://facebook.com/mndeed>
> [DEED SSB Logo Black and White]
>
>
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