[NFBF-Tampa] First Dog

[Marion Gwizdala]

Dear Colleagues,

 

                As the president of the National Association of Guide Dog
Users, a strong and proud division of the National Federation of the Blind,
I sometimes refer to my guide dog as "First Dog".  Some of you may already
know that my beloved German shepherd guide dog, Sergeant, passed away in
early September. I have not shared it too widely, as I am a fairly private
person when it comes to my guides and have had a pretty challenging time
adjusting to his passing. We are not really positive why he passed away but
we suspect liver cancer, as we found he had nodules on his liver leading to
a diagnosis of chronic hepatitis in February of last year. We were treating
the symptoms and he seemed to be responding well but took a turn for the
worse on August 31 and passed away on September 9.

 

                I share this with you as a prelude to let you know that I
will be meeting my potential new guide dog and NAGDU's First Dog next
Friday, February 23. Trooper is being trained by John Byfield of Freedom
Guide Dogs in Cassville, NY. Trooper is a Blue Merle Smooth-Coat Collie who
stand about 28" at the shoulders and currently weighs in at about 66 lbs.
The Blue Merle is a silvery gray marbled with black and tan with white areas
on the chest, neck, feet/legs, and tail tip.

 

                There are some major reasons I chose Freedom Guide Dogs for
my next dog. One reason is the opportunity to train with John Byfield. For
those of you who do not know John, he is probably the most experienced and
well-respected guide dog trainer in the world. John began training guide
dogs in the U.K. at the age of 20 and just recently celebrated his 80th
birthday, though you would likely not guess him as much more than his
mid-60s. This is likely due to his walking several miles every day while
training young pups for the past 60 years. Training with this legend will be
an honor and very exciting.

 

                Another reason I have chosen Freedom Guide Dogs is because
of their unique breeds. I am unaware of any other guide dog training program
with Collies in their strings. They have a very soft temperament, lots of
energy,  and an incredible work ethic.

 

                Freedom Guide Dogs also conduct exclusively community
training, meaning they bring the dog to you and train you in your home town.
At the same time, though, Trooper has been prepared to live and work my
lifestyle. Since I travel a lot, he has been exposed to flying, buses, busy
city traffic, and subways - something we do not have here in Florida. They
have kennels in Cassville but no dormitories. 

                My final consideration for choosing Freedom Guide Dogs - and
something I share with anyone asking me which program I recommend - is that,
when I am finished with my training with Trooper, he is my dog, free and
clear. Freedom will provide me with any follow-up I need but relinquishes
any ownership interest in him. They will not and cannot remove him for any
reason whatsoever. Such a policy respects my dignity as a blind person,
ensures a safe, sound team, and creates a relationship based on the
expectation that I am an adult with the ability to independently care for my
dog and make decisions about his care and training without their
interference. I have no hesitation asking them for help if needed because I
am confident they will not interfere with my ownership rights.

 

                I intend to document my training from the time I meet
Trooper for the first time next Friday, begin my training regimen, and while
John puts us through our paces throughout Tampa and the surrounding areas.
If you would like to follow Trooper and me on our exciting journey, please
subscribe to my blog, "Marion's Musings" at

 

http://mariongwizdala.wordpress.com

 

Let's take this adventure forward!

 

Fraternally yours,

Marion Gwizdala

 

Marion Gwizdala, President

National Association of Guide Dog Users Inc. (NAGDU)

National Federation of the Blind

(813) 626-2789

President at NAGDU.ORG

 

 

The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise
expectations because low expectations create barriers between blind  people
and our dreams. You can live the life you want! Blindness is not what holds
you back.

 

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