[NAGDU] for Cindy

[Sherry Gomes]

I switched schools after over 40 years with my original school. It broke my heart when they denied me, because I knew so many people on staff, and I had worked there at one point, so many were friends. It felt like getting kicked out of my family, in a way, and to this day, I think their decision was completely wrong. However, two other schools accepted me, even with my physical limitations, and now I have my wonderful guiding eyes guide Shani. I won't ever let myself feel a guide dog school is like family again, but to be fair, I was only seventeen the first time I trained at the first school. But I love Shani, find her an incredible guide and companion, to the point that I keep telling people, gosh, I forgot a guide dog could be like this, a smart and eager working, and a sweet and lovely companion at home. All that to say that switching schools can be very positive in the end. 



-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Raul Gallegos - NAGDU via NAGDU
Sent: Tuesday, July 18, 2023 9:32 AM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Raul Gallegos - NAGDU <rgallegos at nagdu.org>
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] for Cindy

Julie, this is well said. I have always maintained the opinion that shopping around is important when choosing a training program that will work with you and that will meet your needs. Hopefully, Cindy can find a solution that works well for her.



Raul Gallegos / President
National Association of Guide Dog Users
346.439.7444 | RGallegos at nagdu.org
https://www.nagdu.org

Facebook <https://facebook.com/groups/nagdu> | Mastodon <https://nfb.social/@GuideDogUsers> | Twitter <https://twitter.com/nagdu> | Email List <https://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org>


On 7/18/2023 11:23 AM, Julie A. Orozco via NAGDU wrote:
> If schools in fact prefer younger people, they are just doing 
> themselves a disservice. Most people are working hybrid schedules 
> these days anyway where they only go into the office a couple times a 
> week.
>
> I am also waiting on my next dog and finding a school switch 
> necessary. It's pretty scary to switch schools, but no one should hold 
> it against you.
>
> Julie
>
> On 7/18/23, Lisa Belville via NAGDU<nagdu at nfbnet.org>  wrote:
>> Hi, Richard.
>>
>>
>> I agree with your thoughts.  It does seem that as we age schools want 
>> younger people; probably because there are no chronic health 
>> conditions that require much beyond the cookie cutter approach as far 
>> as training is concerned.  I also think some of it has to do with the 
>> fact that younger, working people have access to better training.  In 
>> my state rehab only pays for O&M if you want to work, go to school, 
>> or are currently working.  Anyone over fifty-five who doesn't or 
>> can't work won't t get much help at all.  I live in a rural area, and 
>> I think many of these schools, because they're located in more 
>> metropolitan areas don't seem to understand that not all of us have 
>> access to the same opportunities.
>>
>>
>> I also think the reps doing the in-home interviews have a lot to do 
>> with whether you are accepted or not.  I was rejected from one school 
>> because the rep took me in an area I'd never walked in before, then 
>> told me I needed more O&M.  This person also didn't approve of my 
>> older neighborhood with it's mix of old and new houses and terrible 
>> sidewalks.  Oh, and the fact that I like to visit my retired guides 
>> seemed to have bothered him as well because it was stressful on the dogs.
>>
>>
>> I've attended two schools in the nearly thirty years I've handled dogs.
>> Making the first switch was hard and felt like I was cheating on the 
>> other school, but it was worth it.
>>
>>
>> Good luck to all of us currently waiting on that next dog.
>>
>>
>> Lisa
>>
>>
>> Lisa Belville
>> missktlab1217 at frontier.com
>>
>> On 7/18/2023 10:24 AM, Richard via NAGDU wrote:
>>> Hi;
>>>
>>> I too had similar questions.  Some schools have become a bit 
>>> particular as to whom they will accept.  I have found they tend to 
>>> prefer younger people who are going to work five days a week.  I 
>>> wouldn't be at all reluctant to go school shopping.  I have had 
>>> seven dogs from three different schools each of which was right for 
>>> me at that time.
>>>
>>> Best of luck and don't give up.
>>>
>>> Richard
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> NAGDU mailing list
>>> NAGDU at nfbnet.org
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info 
>>> for
>>> NAGDU:
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/missktlab1217%40f
>>> rontier.com
>> _______________________________________________
>> NAGDU mailing list
>> NAGDU at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NAGDU:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/kaybaycar%40gmail.
>> com
>>
>
_______________________________________________
NAGDU mailing list
NAGDU at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NAGDU:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/sherry.gomes%40outlook.com