[nabs-l] dog v. cane

[Darian Smith]

Good points!
 i think there are many advantages and disadvantages to both.  In
short, I would suggest you take a listen to the conference call
archiving when it comes up   on the nabslink audio site, because this
was all of what we talked about
  Best,
Darian

On 11/21/10, Nicole B. Torcolini at Home <ntorcolini at wavecable.com> wrote:
> 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
>>
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>
>
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-- 
Darian Smith
Skype: The_Blind_Truth
Windows Live: Lightningrod2010 at live.com
Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/goldengateace


“We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are
spiritual beings having a human experience.” - Teilhard de Chardin