[NAGDU] Guide Dog Schools

[Al Sten-Clanton]

Same from here, Bryan.


Best!

Al


On 12/25/21 10:00, Tracy Carcione via NAGDU wrote:
> Hi Bryan.
> How awful!  So glad everything came out OK, and that GDF was so amazingly
> helpful.  Good luck to you, and to your retired pup.
> Tracy
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Bryan Gearry via
> NAGDU
> Sent: Friday, December 24, 2021 8:12 PM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
> Cc: Bryan Gearry
> Subject: [NAGDU] Guide Dog Schools
>
> I'm sure most of us are very proud of our Guide Dog schools. I would
> like to convey something that has just happened with my school. I have
> got my first two dogs from GDF. My current one is a Golden Retriever who
> is 4 now. Just in the last month he has developed a very aggressive oral
> tumor called a Fibrosarcoma. When we noticed it, we immediately took him
> to our regular vet who made arrangements to see a veterinary oncologist
> that same day. They told me that he would have to have immediate
> surgery. The procedure is very radical. I could not believe what I was
> hearing. I contacted the University of Colorado the next morning who
> confirmed what the surgeon was telling me here. That morning I called
> GDF and told them what was going on. They did not hesitate to send a
> trainer out the following day from NY all the way to Alaska. The trainer
> showed up in the afternoon and a few hours later he was headed back to
> NY (long day for that fellow) I was expecting the worse that they would
> have to put this dog down. That was not the case at all! Two days later
> they had him on the operating table and removed 3/4 of his lower jaw
> successfully removing the tumor. This is standard treatment for this
> type of tumor. He since has recovered remarkably well. I'm so impressed
> with the compassion and financial outlay that the school endured for all
> of this. The surgery started at 12K$ and that's just the beginning. He
> unfortunately has been retired as a Guide Dog. He will be a "special
> needs" animal the rest of his life. Something I'm not able to provide.
> The point of all of this is it could be easier to destroy the dog, but
> GDF took the high road. I can't say enough how proud and impressed I am
> with my school! (besides they have a fantastic chef there) LOL!
>
> Bryan, now "clearing brush" with a cane, while waiting for another dog"
>