[nabs-l] dog v. cane

[Nicole B. Torcolini at Home]

Everyone's opinion on this is going to differ, but here are the main points 
that I have found.
I have found that travel is faster and smoother. To go around something with 
a cane, you actually have to find it first. With a guide dog, you go around 
the object without interacting with it. I like not having to swing my cane; 
I find walking with the dog, just holding onto the harness handle more 
relaxing. Some guide dogs are trained to avoid overhead obstacles which a 
cane would not find. Most guide dogs can be taught to find things, such as 
doors, elevators, and chairs. If you go to a place often enough and do a 
particular action often enough, your dog sometimes helps you do that. For 
example, in the dining hall in my dorm, I always sit in the same chair. My 
guide dog will take me to the chair without me asking. She also knows that I 
tire easily, or at least understands that I like to sit down often, so she 
will show me benches along the way. I also find getting through crowds 
easier with a guide dog.

Those are the mobility advantages, but I also find other advantages to 
having a guide dog. It has been my experience that more people stop to chat 
because of my guide dog. The guide dog is a wonderful companion. Sometimes, 
when your having a bad day, your dog is enough to cheer you up.

As you said, though, good O.&M. skills come first. Sometimes, my guide dog 
knows where we are going, and I don't have to tell her when to turn, but it 
is always my responsibility to know where we are. If she gets us lost 
because she turned when I was not paying attention, I cannot get mad at her 
for getting us lost because I was the one not paying attention.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jorge Paez" <jorgeapaez at mac.com>
To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list" 
<nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, November 21, 2010 6:47 PM
Subject: [nabs-l] dog v. cane


> Hi all:
> I am considering options for travel, and my Vision Teacher and I have 
> discussed if I ever wanted to get a dog.
>>From your points of view, what are the advantages to using a guide dog 
>>instead of a cane?
> I am very comfortable with a cane, and I'm aware that good use of the cane 
> is required before you can get a dog,
> but what are the advantages of a guide dog in terms of day-to-day life?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Jorge
>
> _______________________________________________
> nabs-l mailing list
> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
> nabs-l:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/ntorcolini%40wavecable.com