[nagdu] Quick Question
Alysha
anjeans at att.net
Tue Apr 26 22:49:44 UTC 2011
Hi Mark,
I got my guide dog the summer after my freshman year, and it worked out
really well. I think it would have been alright if I'd gotten him a year
earlier as well, but it was probably a bit easier to do it after a year on
campus. When I came home with my dog, I was still getting accustomed to
working with him and learning his quirks, and it was great not to have to
worry about getting lost on campus too. For example, if he passed a sidewalk
where I was telling him to turn, I would know almost immediately that he
missed it and be able to go back and show him to do it properly. Getting a
new dog is fantastic, but especially in the first couple of months, it can
be stressful and frustrating. Like many people have already said, starting
college is a huge change, and it might be a little overwhelming to add a new
dog into the equation. Once you've gotten your freshman year off to a start,
you'll probably be able to better imagine how a dog will fit into your life
as a college student.
As for how much time a day your dog will take, there's definitely no hard
number to quote. Sometimes, you can just relieve your dog on your way
somewhere else and it only takes a minute, but sometimes your dog will take
what feels like forever to do his business while your standing in a
rainstorm late for class. When I was at the Seeing Eye, one of my
instructors told me I might have to take my dog out up to 8 times a day, and
I was shocked! I've done it some days though, and it's not as big of a deal
as it might sound. Daily grooming is important, and vacuuming is also a
must. Especially when I lived in a small dorm room with my dog, I would
notice the dog hair accumulating really fast! You'll also need to take time
to play with your dog, but that can be stress relief for you too. That is,
of course, unless your dog is insistently squeaking his toy at you when
you're trying to study for an important test. My dog has figured out that
trying to push buttons on my laptop with his nose will, at least
temporarily, get him my attention, and he sometimes takes full advantage of
this. It can seem like a lot of work to take care of a dog, but I've found
that, like Tracy said, it's easy to fit his needs into my day. Dogs are
flexible, and mine has been more places, and put up with wackier schedules,
than I ever would have thought possible when I got him.
So, I'd say if you're feeling a little shaky about the mobility aspects of
moving on campus or if you're nervous about starting college, maybe it would
be better to wait a year. But if you're pretty confident about college and
you think you'll learn the campus well enough in a month, then go for it!
Alysha
----- 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: Monday, April 25, 2011 10:46 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Quick Question
> Glad to know that there are no bad decisions. Thanks for sharing your
> stories and advice with me. They provide good food for thought, so keep
> them coming.
>
>
> Mark J. Cadigan
> MassABS Secretary
> Kramc11 at gmail.com
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Michael Hingson" <info at michaelhingson.com>
> To: "'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'"
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Monday, April 25, 2011 10:32 PM
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Quick Question
>
>
> Hi Mark,
>
> I think I would like to chime in as well. I received my first guide dog
> the
> summer between 8th grade and high school. Back in 1964 it seems, at least
> for me, that I was fully accepted in high school with my guide except that
> the superintendent of the district tried to ban us from the school bus
> system. Let's not visit that more now.
>
> Anyway, I went to the school with my dog beginning about two weeks before
> school opened. I did this to learn much of the campus so I wouldn't have
> to
> do that along with getting use to new teachers, new facilities, and new
> homework and study demands.
>
> When I went to college I arranged in advance through my major department
> to
> get help right from the start in learning the campus. I arrived a few
> days
> before classes began and again spent much time going around the campus to
> learn the area, not specific routes but the overall layout of the
> university.
>
> For me this process worked well. I had not received any kind of formal
> orientation and mobility training until the summer before college. Even
> then the training was minimal and mostly unnecessary as by then I had
> become
> a good traveler.
>
> As others have said only you can determine what is best for you. I like
> exploring and challenging myself especially while using my guide dog.
> Getting your first guide is an adventure. You can succeed if you believe
> you can. Getting lost is never a bad thing, but rather it is an
> opportunity
> to learn something new. I should say I put this axiom to good use later
> in
> my life when I first went to work at the World Trade Center in New York
> City.
>
> I am sure you will do fine. We're all here to support you and to
> encourage
> your efforts no matter what you do.
>
>
> Best,
>
>
> Mike Hingson
>
> The Michael Hingson Group, INC.
> "Speaking with Vision"
> Michael Hingson, President
> (415) 827-4084
> info at michaelhingson.com
> To learn more about my upcoming book, speaking topics and speaking
> availability please visit www.michaelhingson.com
> Thunder Dog is now available for early ordering on Amazon!!!
> http://www.amazon.com/Thunder-Dog-Blind-Triumph-Ground/dp/140020304X/ref=sr_
> 1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1289090352&sr=1-3
>
>
> for info on the new KNFB Reader Mobile, visit:
> http://knfbreader.michaelhingson.com
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
> Of Sherrill O'Brien
> Sent: Monday, April 25, 2011 7:08 PM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Quick Question
>
> Hello Mark,
>
> I'd like to chime in here. The decision is yours to make, but I want to
> tell
> you that I was blind since birth, and knew as a very young child that I
> wanted to get a guide dog. I got some decent O andM training in high
> school,
> and decided to spend my first year in college with only my cane. I used
> the
> cane, and also, I must admit, walked around on that campus a good bit sans
> mobility aid...no cane, no human guide! Silly me, I know, but I lived to
> tell about it. Getting my first dog during the summer between my freshman
> and sophomore years was a good decision for me. The stress of going off to
> college, learning a new place, dealing with readers etc. was enough for me
> to handle that first year. I was very happy having my dog that next year.
> She was the ultimate college guide dog. Some stories here, but that's for
> another time...or not. Anyway, my dog was a great help to me, and I don't
> regret not having her that first year. For you, it might not be the same.
> But I hope all our experiences help you to make the best decision for you.
>
> Sherrill
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org]On
> Behalf Of Mark J. Cadigan
> Sent: Monday, April 25, 2011 9:13 PM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Quick Question
>
>
> I still don't know if I am going to go get a dog. I know that if I was to
> go
> get a dog I would be able to take care of it and make it work. What I
> don't
> know is would it be more beneficial to spend a year and know the campus
> cold
> before getting the dog, or will the month I will be spending on the campus
> this summer with a mobility instructor be sufficient. After that, I will
> know the routes I will need on the first day of school but, still won't be
> familiar with the entire campus. I basically want to do what's best for
> the
> dog and what will simplify things the most. It is a huge campus covering
> the
> Beacon Hill and government center areas of Boston. I know people feel
> strongly both ways.
>
>
>
> I wish I could have some data to crunch. If only there was a survey of
> people that got there dog before freshmen year, and people that waited and
> I
> could compare some data.
>
>
>
> Thoughts?
>
> Mark
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Sheila Leigland" <sleigland at bresnan.net>
> To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Monday, April 25, 2011 7:59 PM
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Quick Question
>
>
>> If you believe you are ready to get a dog go for it and have a great
>> time.
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Mark J. Cadigan <kramc11 at gmail.com>
>> Sent: Monday, April 25, 2011 2:04 PM
>> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Quick Question
>>
>> Good news is I am not much of a party person. In fact, I can't stand
>> crazy
>> parties with all the noise and crowds. I am also 19 so a bit older than
>> you
>> were when you started college for the first time. I am an early riser
>> anyway, so the taking the dog out in the morning won't be a problem. I am
>> normally up at 6:00 except those days when it is noon. Lol. But those are
>> not often.
>>
>>
>> Mark
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Julie J" <julielj at neb.rr.com>
>> To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Monday, April 25, 2011 10:07 AM
>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Quick Question
>>
>>
>>> Mark,
>>>
>>> I never had a guide dog at college. The first time I went to college I
>>> was 17 and just out of high school. I enjoyed staying up late, sleeping
>>> even later, staying with different friends and their parents on the
>>> weekends, going to parties and generally enjoying myself. Having a new
>>> dog in that situation would have been a disaster. I had no regular
>>> schedule, only stayed at my dorm room weekdays, was constantly running
>>> around visiting new places and new people.
>>>
>>> Then several years later I went back to college. By then I was married
>>> and had Kiddo. I could have easily fit a guide into life then. I lived
>>> in an apartment, had a regular routine, and was much more settled. I
>>> actually had three pet dogs then.
>>>
>>> At both colleges I attended there were other students that had guide
>>> dogs
>>> One was a younger student with questionable orientation skills. the
>>> other
>>> was an older gentleman who had good skills. Both seemed to be
>>> successful
>>> with their dogs at college. I think the difference was in their
>>> willingness to put the dog before parties and other random college
>>> craziness.
>>>
>>> It's all you though. Best of luck in whatever you decide!
>>> Julie
>>>
>>>
>>> ----- 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: Monday, April 25, 2011 8:17 AM
>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Quick Question
>>>
>>>
>>>> Thanks for all the responses thus far. They are providing food for
>>>> thought.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Mark J. Cadigan
>>>> Kramc11 at gmail.com
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>> From: "PICKRELL, REBECCA M (TASC)" <REBECCA.PICKRELL at tasc.com>
>>>> To: "'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'"
>>>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>>> Sent: Monday, April 25, 2011 8:34 AM
>>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Quick Question
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> Mark,
>>>>> How do you feel on this subject and why do you feel a given way?
>>>>> I got my first dog shortly after high school. She started college with
>>>>> me and completed it with me too.
>>>>> Looking back, I don't know that it was the right call.
>>>>> I had a few friends that could not adjust to me having a dog.
>>>>> Irronically, now that I am no longer using a dog, these people are
>>>>> back
>>>>> in my life. One friend and I had the breakup from hell. The dog was
>>>>> only
>>>>> part of the reason why. We are friends again and looking back, I'm
>>>>> sorry
>>>>> for all the time we lost. I have missed him.
>>>>>
>>>>> My rationale for getting my dog when I did was that everybody I met
>>>>> would know me as having a dog and could either accept or reject the
>>>>> package.
>>>>> Looking back, I'm not sure this is logical. We all change over time
>>>>> and
>>>>> friendships change over time.
>>>>>
>>>>> I'd almost urge you to wait, but this is only because of my
>>>>> experience.
>>>>> Interestingly enough, I met my husband when I had a guide dog. He
>>>>> isn't
>>>>> really a dog person and we still got together. So if you're not sure,
>>>>> I'd wait.
>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>>>>> Behalf Of Lisa Irving
>>>>> Sent: Sunday, April 24, 2011 4:32 AM
>>>>> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
>>>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Quick Question
>>>>>
>>>>> Mark,
>>>>>
>>>>> I applaud
>>>>> your maturity, your willingness to seek feedback.
>>>>>
>>>>> As an incoming freshman you will incur many new responsibilities. It's
>>>>> a
>>>>> lot
>>>>> of work to be a college student. It's work whether you are blind or
>>>>> sighted.
>>>>> The fact of the matter, it's even more work when you are blind. Keep
>>>>> this in
>>>>> mind as you weigh your options.
>>>>>
>>>>> I think back to when I was a freshman, back in the 80s. I think I
>>>>> could
>>>>> have handled caring for my guide dog. What I likely would have had
>>>>> trouble
>>>>> with is not letting my dog become everyone's toy. I think I would have
>>>>> had
>>>>> difficulties living in a dorm and setting boundaries with room mates.
>>>>>
>>>>> There are a lot of us on this list who want to see you be successful
>>>>> as
>>>>> a
>>>>> student as well as being a guide dog handler. Both are huge jobs that
>>>>> take
>>>>> determination, consistency and some tenacity.
>>>>>
>>>>> Lisa and Bernie ----- 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: Saturday, April 23, 2011 8:09 AM
>>>>> Subject: [nagdu] Quick Question
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>> Hi all. This is Mark with a quick question. Feel free to respond
>>>>>> either
>>>>>> on
>>>>>> or off list. I will be attending college at Suffolk University as a
>>>>>> freshman in Boston this September. I have been accepted to attend the
>>>>>> Seeing Eye July class. My question is, should I get a dog now, or
>>>>>> should I
>>>>>> defer it for a year and go to the training the summer before soft
>>>>>> more
>>>>>> year. I can see the merits of both, and just curious as to your
>>>>>> thoughts.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>>
>>>>>
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