[NAGDU] Guide dogs of America

Wed Apr 3 13:20:38 UTC 2024

guidedogsofamerica.org
Robert Stigile, Second Vice-President
National Federation of the Blind of California
President San Fernando Valley Chapter
818-381-9568
Kn6uvd

> On Apr 2, 2024, at 10:02 PM, William Vandervest <timelord09 at comcast.net> wrote:
> 
> Can you post the link to the GDA website please.
> 
> 
> William Vandervest
> timelord09 at comcast.net
> Win10 latest revision
> 
> There are none so blind, as those who will not see.
> 
> William Vandervest
> 
> u
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: NAGDU <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of robert stigile via NAGDU
> Sent: Tuesday, April 2, 2024 20:57
> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: robert stigile <rstigile at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Guide dogs of America
> 
> Hello all,
> All six of my Guide dogs have been from guide dogs of america.
> My current guide that I am working and I graduated in October 2019.
> So I have been there with the trainers who have retired and the newer trainers.
> It is true that they are Training guide dogs as well as the service dogs for people with autism and vets with PTSD. However, they are all separate training programs so you may be in the same building with each other. However, you are not training with each other.
> As for aftercare, I am receiving some work as it is now with my current Guide who is having some issues with escalators. I contacted the trainer and had no problems getting a response and we will be working next week before he starts a new class. If you have further questions regarding Gda, feel free to reach out to me directly. thank you, Robert Stigile, Second Vice-President National Federation of the Blind of California President San Fernando Valley Chapter
> 818-381-9568
> Kn6uvd
> 
>> On Apr 2, 2024, at 5:35 PM, Elizabeth Rene via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> 
>> Hello fellow Listmates,
>> Having just rejoined this list after an absence of several years, I've enjoyed Reading everyone's comments about their experiences at The Seeing Eye.
>> My eighth guide dog, Scotty, died in late November after a shockingly short struggle with lung cancer. He was seven years old. It is only just now that I feel ready to begin the process of applying for my ninth guide.
>> I would like to know if anyone has recently trained for a guide dog at Guide Dogs of America (GDA) in Sylmar California.
>> I have gotten my last three Guide Dogs from there, and they have all been successful matches, but my old guide dog instructor friends have all retired and the school has expanded its focus to include service dogs for people with other disabilities such as PTSD and autism. It's a very small school, and has had a reputation for giving extra support to students who need it while offering extra challenge to more able veteran guide dog handlers.
>> Living on the west coast as I do, I'm tempted to go back to GDA because it's so close. Yet they can't afford to make in-home visits, Service dog and guide dog classes may share the building simultaneously, they sometimes seem overprotective, and there is a bit of an emphasis on using the white cane with a guide dog. I spoke with the training manager today, who is also blind and a wonderful person, and he spoke of using the white cane on the Juneau walk so that students could know what to expect on the route –such as deep curbs and big cracks in the sidewalk. I can see the wisdom of having a cane handy in case of unexpected emergency, but wonder about using one to scope out a route before traveling with one's dog. I've never needed it for that purpose before.
>> I would truly like to hear other peoples opinions of their recent experiences at GDA. TSE grads are welcome to chime in too. I remember the old days when guide dog instructors told people to put their canes away once matched to their dogs. I like to see more flexibility in peoples ability to choose whether or not to have a cane with them. What are handlers experiencing at their schools and beyond regarding the use of white canes with their dogs? Do all schools approach this question the same way? Somehow, to me, getting out a cane while navigating with my dog seems to say to the public," I'm lost." But I have some usable vision. Opinions may very, so I'd like to hear yours.
>> I'm also applying to The Seeing Eye.
>> Thanks.
>> 
>> Elizabeth M René
>> Attorney at Law
>> WSBA #10710
>> KCBA #21824
>> rene0373 at gmail.com
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