[NAGDU] Guide Dog Schools

[Jean Menzies]

Bryan, 
So sorry to hear this about your dog, but great how GDF stepped in to help. I hope you don’t have to wait too long for a successor dog. 

Jean and Percy 

Sent from my iPhone

> On Dec 24, 2021, at 5:41 PM, Bryan Gearry via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> 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"
> 
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