[nfb-db] Special Needs Program at Guiding Eyes

[Marsha Drenth]

I highly recommend HKNC for anyone who is deafblind who needs skills in IL, mobility, technology, and Voc. Yes of course HKNC has its bad parts, just like with any other training center, but its a one of kind program, where you will get one of the kind training for the deafblind. 


Marsha drenth  
Sent with my IPhone 

> On Mar 1, 2014, at 7:35 PM, "Darlene Laibl-Crowe" <dlaiblcrowe at att.net> wrote:
> 
> I agree with Marsha!  Great to hear you are at HKNC!!!  
> (smile)
> D~
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nfb-db [mailto:nfb-db-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Marsha Drenth
> Sent: Saturday, March 01, 2014 7:28 PM
> To: NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [nfb-db] Special Needs Program at Guiding Eyes
> 
> Danielle,
> I am currently a student at HKNC. I am working my third guide from GDF. 
> No HK does not force annyone to use a cane. Your O&M instructor might
> recommend that you sharpen your cane skills, but they will also not force
> you to use your dog. Your dog can do anything and everything with you. There
> are several staff that have guides, and currently several students who have
> guides. Its a friendly guide dog place. 
> Lots of the staff love dogs, and when I am busy with classes, they will take
> the pup out to the dog run. They have a dog run that is fenced in. All of
> the pups love it. 
> Your dog will get plenty of work, my pup loves the amount of work she gets
> on a daily bases, but also loves it went she gets a day off. 
> If you want to ask any questions, since I am currently at the center, please
> ask away. 
> When do you think you will be able to go to HKNC? 
> 
> 
> Marsha drenth
> Sent with my IPhone 
> 
>>> On Mar 1, 2014, at 7:12 PM, Danielle Burton <danielleburton94 at gmail.com>
>> wrote:
>> 
>> Thank you, Darlene. I have been accepted in the Special Needs Program at
> Guiding Eyes and I am waiting on them to find a match for me. The reason I
> was asking about HKNC about guide dogs is that some training centers require
> to use a cane during the day regardless if you have a dog or not. i was
> wondering if this was the case at HKNC? 
>> 
>> Sent from my iPhone
>> 
>>> On Mar 1, 2014, at 6:58 PM, "Darlene Laibl-Crowe" <dlaiblcrowe at att.net>
> wrote:
>>> 
>>> Hello, Danielle.
>>> 
>>> This is Darlene and I am Hard of Hearing and Blind.  I received a 
>>> special needs guide from Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind in 
>>> Smithtown, NY last September.  She is trained to not only guide me 
>>> but to alert me of hearing needs if I don't have my hearing aids on.  
>>> For example, the door knocking, doorbell, phone ringing and much 
>>> more.  GDF has trained several dogs for various Deaf-Blind 
>>> individuals.  One such person is named Bopin and he is profoundly 
>>> deaf and blind and does not speak.  He relies solely on sign language
> fopr communication.  He got a guide dog from GDF.
>>> 
>>> I applied for the dog last July and was accepted the following month.  
>>> You can visit their website at www.guidedog.org.  You can also give 
>>> them a call and they will be happy to answer any questions that you 
>>> might have.  They also provide transportation costs.
>>> 
>>> I love my new dog and she is amazing at everything that she does. To 
>>> answer your question about HKNC, they have an area for your to 
>>> relieve your guide and you wlll be responsible for your guide.  I was 
>>> there in 2011 for eight months.  For the first six months I had my 
>>> guide dog (I retired him in August 2012).  HKNC has many classes and 
>>> will asses you for your specific needs and determine what and which 
>>> classes you will need.  One of those classes will be Orientation and 
>>> Mobility, those instructors are well-trained to understand white cane 
>>> training and guide dog training.  If you want to ask more questions,
> please feel free to ask and I will be happy to answer.
>>> If I don't know the answer I will do my best to find out or refer you 
>>> to the person or organization.
>>> 
>>> However, I would encourage you to contact your HKNC representative 
>>> and ask your questions so that your information is current and 
>>> reliable.  As I said, at HKNC everyone is trained according to their 
>>> specific needs so what training one receives will not necessarily be the
> one you will receive.
>>> 
>>> Good luck!
>>> (smile)
>>> Darlene
>>> 
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: nfb-db [mailto:nfb-db-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Danielle 
>>> Burton
>>> Sent: Saturday, March 01, 2014 6:46 PM
>>> To: NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List
>>> Subject: [nfb-db] Special Needs Program at Guiding Eyes
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Hi, everyone. I have a question. Has any of you guys received a 
>>> Special Needs dog from Guiding Eyes for the blind? If so what were 
>>> your experiences there? Also, how long did you have to wait for a 
>>> dog? I am waiting on a match right now. My last question is how are 
>>> guide dogs handled at HKNC if you go for training?
>>> Sent from my iPhone
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