[nabs-l] Training centers

Thu Aug 14 17:08:51 UTC 2014

Hi Antonio

I don't mind takimg travel class with a cane, it's the rest of the day I'm not really comfortable with even though other guide dog users have done it.

I read while doing research that the Colorado center  has a slightly different guide dog policy but don't know if this is true.

Sofia

Sent from my iPhone

> On Aug 14, 2014, at 12:32 PM, Antonio Guimaraes <freethaught at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> The training at the NFB centers does not include guide dog mobility training. the nobel is based on cane skills, so it would follow that you’d not use your dog while learning to use a cane.
> 
> I guess the centers like you to practice your cane skills during business hours. I agree that this is a bit slanted towards cane use.
> 
> I believe the Colorado Center may be more compatible with keeping your dog bond ad training up best for a couple of reasons.
> 
> The Denver metropolitan area offers you more choices ad opportunities to work your dog on off hours.
> 
> I don’t know how much one can do out in a place like Roustin. I have a perception that the Louisiana Center is way in the middle of nowhere, so if I had a dog, or wanted to learn city living mobility skills, I’d avoid it.
> 
> I wish I knew more about other centers to tell you, Sofia, but no matter what I say, there will be a push to say the center i brought up is custodial, or substandard, which may or may not be true.
> 
> You are the one ultimately responsible for making your choice, and it seems you are doing a great job at asking for information and researching.
> You might eat to talk to staff, and students at each potential training center, and do your best to get past the hype. Any center r director you talk to wants to recruit you as a student. I can’t blame them. They work for and run the best center around, no matter what that center is.
> 
> You might be willing to leave your dog with an instructor, under their desk from 8:30 to 4:00, and work your dog in the community after hours. That might work well if you work at it, even though I agree you’re giving up some bonding and hard training from the schools and your time with the animal.
> 
> The truth of the matter is the NFB centers do not have dog trainers on hand, they employ mobility instructors. Mobility instructors in my opinion should be well versed in training blind people to navigate with a dog, cane, and a hybrid approach.
> 
> I also don’t think a blind mobility instructor can adequately observe the intricacies of a blind person and dog guide team to provide adequate services and training.
> 
> Others certainly feel otherwise, which is an interesting debate for a noter time.
> 
> NFB centers work with blind instructors, and blind mobility trainers are able to train blind students in the use of the cane.
> 
> I for one wonder what guide dog training schools would think, say, or do if NFB centers started training blind people to navigate with their dogs.
> 
> It would be interesting to partner with dog guide schools to offer services to dog users at an NFB center, even if at a very limited basis, but that is too far outside the NFB box to ever happen.
> 
> All that said, Sofia, you could get a lot out of training at an NFB center. It may be the best option available to you.
> 
> I wish you luck, and hope you find the center tat best suits you.
> 
> Best,
> 
> Antonio
> 
>> On Aug 9, 2014, at 7:29 AM, Sofia Gallo via nabs-l <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> 
>> Yea, I'd be interested to know how people handled it since it doesn't sound like I can work with my dog a lot.
>> 
>> Beth, that's scary! I wouldn't want to risk that.
>> 
>> I'll definitely contact the directors.
>> 
>> Sofia
>> 
>> Sent from my iPhone
>> 
>>> On Aug 9, 2014, at 6:32 AM, Beth Taurasi via nabs-l <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>> 
>>> There's a problem with guiide dogs and training.  There's the possibility of separation anxiety for the dog, which one of my FB friends wrote in a heartrending manner.  She's not getting her dog back due to traiing.
>>> Beth
>>> 
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: Miso Kwak via nabs-l <nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>> To: nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>> Date sent: Sat, 9 Aug 2014 00:34:40 -0400 (EDT)
>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Training centers
>>> 
>>> Hello,
>>> I am sure some people on this list have experience of attending an NFB
>>> center with a guide dog.
>>> I know that Pam Allen who is the director of Louisiana Center for the
>>> Blind did her training when she had a guide dog. I was in contact with
>>> her regarding related issues and she told me this. You may want to
>>> contact her.
>>> Miso Kwak
>>> 
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: Sofia Gallo via nabs-l <nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>> To: Matthew Dierckens <matt.dierckens at me.com
>>> Cc: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>> Sent: Fri, Aug 8, 2014 6:58 pm
>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Training centers
>>> 
>>> That unfortunately doesn't sound like enough to maintain a working
>>> relationship with a dog.
>>> 
>>> Are there centers not affiliated with NFB?
>>> 
>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>> 
>>> On Aug 8, 2014, at 3:21 PM, Matthew Dierckens <matt.dierckens at me.com
>>> wrote:
>>> 
>>> You use an NFB straight cane from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
>>> You're free to use your dog to go to and from the apartments, and
>>> obviously to relieve the dog.
>>> 
>>> Matthew Dierckens
>>> Macintosh Trainer
>>> Blind Access Training
>>> www.blindaccesstraining.com
>>> 1-877-774-7670, extension 3
>>> matthew at blindaccesstraining.com
>>> Introduction to the Macintosh Operating system and voiceover course
>>> available now. Spots are limited, sign up here
>>> http://blindaccesstraining.com/training-courses/
>>> 
>>> On Aug 8, 2014, at 13:55, Sofia Gallo via nabs-l <nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>> wrote:
>>> 
>>> Hi
>>> 
>>> I also have a question about the training center: I really want to go
>>> to one some time soon because it would help me address areas that I
>>> need work in like navigating unfamiliar places and improving
>>> independent living skills. However, I've heard that the centers don't
>>> let us work with guide dogs -- we can only do that in our free time.
>>> I've felt a lot safer and more independent with my dog, and I can't
>>> just stop working with her for 9 months, which keeps me from
>>> considering a center even though it would really help me. Does anyone
>>> have any input or does anyone know someone who has gone with a guide
>>> dog?
>>> 
>>> Thanks!
>>> 
>>> Sofia
>>> 
>>> On 8/8/14, Candice Chapman via nabs-l <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>> Hi Roanna,
>>> 
>>> You're right. Talking with family and your rehab counselor is
>>> important, but
>>> another important place to start is the NFB center you want to
>>> attend. The
>>> center can be helpful in assisting with issues you may have with
>>> rehab.
>>> 
>>> Best if luck with your research.
>>> 
>>> Best,
>>> 
>>> Candice Chapman
>>> 
>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>> 
>>> On Aug 7, 2014, at 8:43 AM, Roanna Bacchus via nabs-l
>>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>> wrote:
>>> 
>>> Dear Nabs Members,
>>> 
>>> I have a question for all of you.  How would you prepare to attend
>>> one of
>>> the Nfb training centers? I know that you have to discuss
>>> attending one of
>>> these facilities with your vocational rehab counselor since they
>>> are out
>>> of state.  I'm assuming that each of you spoke to your families
>>> before
>>> planning to attend one of these centers.  I'd like to hear your
>>> stories
>>> about preparing to attend an Nfb training center.
>>> 
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>> 
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> 