[NAGDU] Glad to be on this list!

[carcione at access.net]

Hi Cindy.
Welcome! 
How exciting!  I'm working my third Seeing Eye dog, and my 8th guide dog,
and I love it.  And, even though I had decent cane skills when I got my
first dog, I relished the speed and ease my dog gave me, and I was more
willing to walk just for the fun of working my dog. 
I think I get less ride share denials in bigger places.  I always worry more
when I go somewhere where there are fewer drivers.  Even if I get a denial
here in my big Jersey town, I can get another driver pretty quick, and I
don't really get too many denials.  If I'm visiting a small town, and get a
denial, as I have, it takes ages to get someone else. 
Where do you live--what state?  And where will you be going to college?
Tracy


-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Sidney Horn via NAGDU
Sent: Thursday, January 16, 2025 5:22 PM
To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
Cc: Sidney Horn <sidneyh05 at gmail.com>
Subject: [NAGDU] Glad to be on this list!

Hi!
My name is Sidney, and I'm 19-years-old. I decided to join this list because
ever since late August, into September, I've been doing tons of research on
guide dogs. I even talked to some friends about them and my Mom told me
since I am going off to college next year at a university, to reconsider the
idea of having one. Now my parents weren't trying to push me by any means,
but they at least wanted me to do some more looking into it.
Starting in September, I initiated an application with The Seeing Eye. I
quickly got a response from them, filled out the paperwork, got my letter of
recommendations sent in from certain people, and then had my interview with
their manager with admissions in October.
I had a juno walk and interview with one of their instructors back in
December. His name is Chris Mattoon.
I did also look into other schools as well, like Guide Dogs for the Blind
and GDF Guide Dog Foundation.) While yes, I did like their programs, I
wanted to stick with Seeing Eye. They are the oldest school, they were quick
to respond and get me in, and they definitely seem like they know what their
doing.
As for the other schools, they had extremely long wait lists, and I'll be
starting at a university in the fall of this year actually.
I've watched lots of videos and read up on lots of things about guide dogs.
While they're furry little fluffy guides, they also make wonderful
companions, and that is just what I need with going off to college.
On the flip side, though, I have definitely heard lots about rideshare
denials... I'm in a Facebook group called Guide Dog Handlers Network. I
joined to hear about others experiences, pros, cons, concerns, ETC.
I have 2 dogs at home, but they're just pet dogs. Not working dogs. I do
realize and understand there's a major difference there.
How have all of your experiences been with your dogs? I feel like denials
can happen anywhere, but it seems like you see them more often in a bigger
city. Is that right?
Sidney

Get Outlook for iOS<https://aka.ms/o0ukef>
_______________________________________________
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/carcione%40access.net