[NOBE-L] Guide dogs in the classroom

[Kathy]

Hello,

I have had a guide dog with me in the classroom since 1996. I put a bed behind my desk. Two of my dogs needed a tie down with the bed, and two of them have not because they were more settled. I never work him inside the classroom as I move around just fine without him, but if we are going to the library or somewhere else as a class, I do work him, usually following the line of students with a reliable student upfront. For fire drills, I have chosen to heal him and do cited guide with either a paraprofessional or the teacher next-door to me.We almost always know about fire drills ahead of time except for emergencies of course. For relief, I make sure he is all set in the morning, then at lunchtime, I take him out before I come back in and eat. He only goes out that one time at school. I work him down the hall and down the stairs for relief and also back into the building. I always use his guidance when I am going to the mail room, office, conference room, or other location in the building.

Grace and Peace,

Kathy Nimmer and Nacho

“No matter where you are, no matter how difficult things might appear to be, you are always being moved toward magnificence. Always.” - Author Unknown

On Apr 24, 2020, at 10:07 PM, Jackie Larrauri via NOBE-L <nobe-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:

Hello,
Sorry for all of the questions.
I have a different question about teaching, so I figured I'd make a
new thread for it.
I am just wondering what you all do with your guide dogs during the
school day? I would obviously want my girl with me and have had her in
a sport pop-up crate during my practicum experiences. However, I was
wondering what you all do as teachers in your own classrooms? While
the sport crate is a good option, I feel it might a bit cramped for
her as an everyday option. Further, how do you all handle relieving
your dogs during the day?
How do fire drills work with your guide? I have only experienced one
fire drill and had advanced warning so had her in harness and ready to
go, but obviously if I had not known it would have slowed me down and
compromised my ability to get children out quickly and efficiently.
Last, do you take your dog with you as you take students to and from
specials, lunch, or recess? I have not done this as I'm not sure of
the best way to walk along the line to monitor students and so have
been using my cane as I can move more fluidly in the hallway,
especially to walk from front to back or when multiple classes are in
the hallway.
Thank you in advance,
Jackie Larrauri

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