[NAGDU] Seeing Eye

[April Collins]

Hi Julie,

I went to Seeing Eye for my first dog at the end of August. I found it to be an incredible environment for learning and support. I needed a dog who was great in crowds, enjoyed going new places, and walked fast, but who would be gentle with people who are ill or acting unexpectedly due to narcotics. They found me a very good match in a female lab/golden cross. I think your asks are reasonable, especially since you're experienced. 
One of the women in my class had two toddler grandchildren and was concerned that her dog would handle them and their antics well. The instructor took her to a school or daycare for freelance, so that might be something you could request as well :) 

Best of luck to you!
April


> On Mar 13, 2024, at 1:00 PM, Julie A. Orozco via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Hi everyone,
> 
> 
> 
> Thank you for all the comments about Seeing Eye. It is great to know I will
> have an excellent class manager who will answer questions and listen to
> concerns. I'll tell a little more of my story below in case more
> reassurances are forth coming. 
> 
> 
> 
> I retired my second dog in the fall of 2021 shortly before my daughter was
> born. I did not complete the application process for my third dog for a
> while after that because well, motherhood. So I haven't worked a dog in
> almost 2 and a half years, which is the longest I've gone without the
> harness in my hand since 2008. I only had to wait like 5 months between my
> first and second dogs. 
> 
> 
> 
> My life has changed completely in the last several years. I am a mom of a
> toddler now, and I feel like I need a unicorn of a dog. I live outside of
> Washington DC and take the metro a lot, walk a ton, and definitely deal with
> plenty of chaos and crowds. But I need a dog that will be gentle and
> forgiving of my toddler and tolerant of young children in general, since it
> looks like we'll be taking her to day care on a daily basis. 
> 
> 
> 
> I am so nervous. Not only do I feel like I'm looking for a dog that might
> not exist, but I also fear a mismatch. I know everyone has them, but I
> haven't had one yet. My first two dogs were great matches, and my second dog
> in particular was an amazing worker and could pretty much read my mind. So,
> I'm not sure I can get that level of awesome in a dog again. The Seeing Eye
> is a new school for me, and although I've seen great dogs come out of there,
> I'm still nervous. I will be spending three weeks away from my family to do
> this, and I want that time to count. 
> 
> 
> 
> There is truly nothing like working a dog though. Even with the rideshare
> denials and the airline forms, I have to do it. I have to try and do my best
> to make it work. I do plan on asking lots of questions when I'm there, and
> I'm not shy. So hopefully that will help. 
> 
> 
> 
> I'm so glad there are so many happy Seeing Eye graduates on this list.
> Hearing about your experiences is definitely helping. So thank you, and
> thanks for reading.
> 
> 
> 
> Julie
> 
> Julie A. Orozco J.D. 
> 
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