[nagdu] Consumer report

[Marion Gwizdala]

Mark,
    as a point of information, of the schools you mention, only The Seeing 
eye gives ownership upon graduation.

Fraternally yours,
Marion


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mark J. Cadigan" <kramc11 at gmail.com>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, August 20, 2010 8:44 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Consumer report


> Thanks for your information. I would never construe stating the facts as 
> you see them as program bashing. I to have observed GDB teams and feel as 
> if they are some of the better trained teems I have seen around. Over the 
> last 2 years or so, I ask the handlers of well trained guide dogs what 
> programs they are from and I consistently receive answers of Guiding Eyes 
> for the Blind, The Seeing Eye, and Guide Dogs for the Blind. This is not 
> to say that dogs from other programs are not well trained, or that my 
> personal opinion of dog training is consistent with the opinion of others. 
> Also, my observations only consist of dog teams I have observed personally 
> so I don't have any point of reference for teams I haven't seen.
>
> Hopefully there are enough qualified statements in this message, lol
> Mark
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "The Pawpower Pack" <pawpower4me at gmail.com>
> To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Friday, August 20, 2010 7:19 PM
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Consumer report
>
>
>> Hi Mark,
>>
>> I'm now an owner trainer but got my first two dogs from GDB.  Keep in 
>> mind this was eleven years ago.
>> Their ownership policy has not changed; you do not own the dog upon 
>> graduation, you must wait a year before applying for ownership, and  you 
>> must have had one successful follow-up visit in order to qualify  for 
>> ownership.  They can choose to grant ownership or not and I am not  sure 
>> if the ownership document itself is conditional or not.
>>
>> I had a huge problem with this.  I also did not like the mandatory 
>> yearly follow-ups by instructors and felt like the program did not  trust 
>> me with the dog and like my personal space was being invaded.   My dogs 
>> came with several serious health conditions, however the  training was 
>> thorough and they worked well.  I felt like some staff  treated me in a 
>> very custodial fashion.  At GDB, you meet the puppy  raisers and have 
>> contact with them if you choose.  I had a great  relationship with my 
>> first dog's raisers, but not so much with raisers  for dog number two who 
>> seemed to be unable to let go of the dog.  This  experience has changed 
>> my feelings about raiser contact after  graduation.
>>
>> Because of these, and many other reasons, I chose not to go back.  In 
>> the future, when I require a program dog it will be from a place which 
>> gives immediate ownership and does not follow-up unless it is requested.
>>
>> Keep in mind that these are just my experiences.  Others have had  great 
>> experiences with GDB and other schools.  It is my desire to  share in an 
>> open and honest way, not to program bash.
>> Good luck choosing a program.
>>
>> Rox and the Herbal HenchHounds:
>> Bristol (retired), Mill'E SD. and Laveau Guide Dog, CGC.
>> "Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm  not 
>> sure about the universe."-Albert Einstein
>> http://www.pawpowercreations.com
>> pawpower4me at gmail.com
>> AIM: Brissysgirl
>>
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>
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