[nagdu] GDB and travelling in New York

[Ted Shelly]

Tracey,

Thanks for all the information.  There are so many things to consider when
choosing a guide dog provider.  I'm just going to have to look at all the
factors, make my best guess and go for it.  I've learned an awful lot
already being on this list and I appreciate all the words of encouragement.

Best,

Ted 

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Tracy Carcione
Sent: Wednesday, December 03, 2008 11:08 AM
To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
Subject: [nagdu] GDB and travelling in New York

Hi Ted.
Welcome to the list.
I work in New York City, and lived there for quite a while before moving to
Jersey.  I had 5 GDB dogs before deciding to switch to The Seeing Eye.
You said you were interested in GDB Portland.
When I went to GDB, I always asked for San Rafael.  San Francisco is a much
bigger city than Portland.  In Portland, 3 or 4 people on one block is a
crowd!  I don't think any western city comes close to a big eastern city for
crowds of pedestrians, but San Francisco comes closer than Portland.
And SF drivers!  Once while visiting, my husband and I made a mistake and
crossed at the wrong place, or the wrong time.  All the drivers stopped and
politely waited for us to get across!  Amazing!
My GDB dogs all did well in NYC.  Sometimes I had to wait a while to get
follow-up if I had a problem, but that was it.

I finally decided to switch to TSE because it's a lot closer, and I could
get actual work in class in NYC, and they put a big emphasis on traffic
safety.  My GDB dogs were all excellent in traffic, too, though.

I think you're likely to get into GDB quicker than Fidelco, just because GDB
is much bigger.

Anyway, good luck with whatever you decide.
I love having a guide dog, especially in the Big City.  My black lab Ben
makes the crowds and traffic seem easy.  Dodging the guys who walk straight
at us, or come flying out of shops without looking.  Or stop dead for no
reason.  What a guy!
Tracy



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