[nagdu] guide dog schools

Sun Oct 16 00:17:49 UTC 2011

ummm...I suppose it depends on how exactly you define big. *smile*  I'd 
say that Leader, GDB and TSE are the largest.  GDF and GEB, are a small 
big school or something.  GDA, SEGDI, Pilot are in the medium range.  
GDTX, GDD, KSDS and Freedom are small.

I'm defining size by how many teams each puts out in a year.  To me the 
size of the school makes no difference.  I suppose benefits of a larger 
program might be faster availability of getting into class and a larger 
pool of dogs to choose from when matching students and dogs. The smaller 
schools have smaller classes.

I care more about whether or not they give ownership and how they treat 
their blind consumers.  I've seen some advertisements for various guide 
dog programs that honestly make me cringe.  But all of that is strictly 
my opinion.  As I've said before I haven't attended any of the programs 
because I'm super picky and well, I love to train dogs!   I know there 
will come a day when I just won't have the umph to owner train anymore 
and I'll have to pick a program if I want to continue working with a 
guide dog.     In the meantime, I'm enjoying watching the various 
programs progressing, making changes and better meeting the needs of 
consumers.

Julie

On 10/15/2011 6:54 PM, Hannah Chadwick wrote:
> Hey Julie,
> Thanks for the info; it's definitely very helpful.
> So Guide Dogs for the Blind, Seeing eye, Guiding Eyes for the blind, Guide
> Dog Foundation, Leader Dogs, and Guide Dogs of America are the big schools?
> I didn't know how much having ownership of the dog would affect the dog once
> it graduates.
> Hannah
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
> Of Julie J.
> Sent: Saturday, October 15, 2011 4:35 PM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] guide dog schools
>
> Hannah,
>
> It's entirely up to you which school you choose and whether you obtain
> ownership of your dog.  We've discussed ownership quite a lot on the list.
> I feel very confident in saying that ownership or lack of ownership doesn't
> have any effect on the services you will receive when you get home.
> Ownership of the dog doesn't mean that you can't return the dog if it
> doesn't work out.  Follow up services with a trainer will be available at
> the same rate that program provides regardless of ownership status
>
>   From memory:
> The Seeing Eye gives ownership at graduation Guide Dogs for the Blind offers
> the opportunity to apply for ownership after one year Guideing Eyes for the
> Blind you can apply for ownership after two years Leader Dogs offers
> ownership after two years, not sure if it's automatic or an application
> Guide Dog Foundation offers several options at the completion of training,
> ownership or custody, almost always it is the choice of the graduate Guide
> Dogs of America grants ownership at graduation
>
> and I cannot remember anything about Southeastern, Guide Dogs of the Desert,
> Pilot, Freedom, Guide Dogs of Texas, or any of the other really small
> schools.
>
> Financial assistance is something I know little about.  We haven't discussed
> that very much on list.  We have discussed yearly cost to keep a guide dog
> in good health.  I remember I took inventory of my expenses, but at the
> moment I'm drawing a total blank.  Maybe I need more coffee?
> *smile*
>
> HTH
> Julie
> On 10/15/2011 6:19 PM, Hannah Chadwick wrote:
>> I know I can pay for food and toys and such but sometimes vet bills
>> can be pretty costly. Also it seems like some guide dog schools work
>> with petco to offer discounts.
>> I think sharing ownership for the first year or so would reassure me
>> in case something goes wrong with the dog.
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>> Behalf Of Steven Johnson
>> Sent: Saturday, October 15, 2011 4:08 PM
>> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] guide dog schools
>>
>> Hi Hannah,
>> One of the things you might want to consider as many of have been
>> there or are in a very similar situation as yours, is to check with
>> your vet to see if you can make monthly payments on your bill.  My
>> guide's vet costs annually for her major spring work up are usually
>> pushing $400+.  The other thing is to see if they offer a reduced rate
>> or discount to service dog users...many do.
>> Now on the first part of your post, you might want to really look at
>> the idea of ownership closely.  I do know that Leader Dogs for
>> theBlind has a 2-year wait until one can apply for ownership which I
>> personally find unacceptable.  Ownership to many of us on this list is
>> a big part of our independence, and the NAGDU continues to advocate
>> hard to get all schools to grant ownership upon graduation.  Let me
>> ask, that is if you feel comfortable in answering to the group, but
>> why do you think you need to have a time period before ownership is
> granted?  Curious minds want to know.
>> BTW, my name is Steve and I am working my 3rd black lab from Leader
>> Dogs.  I have had my guides since 1992, and I am the current President
>> of the Wisconsin Association of Guide Dog Users.
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>> Behalf Of Hannah Chadwick
>> Sent: Saturday, October 15, 2011 5:55 PM
>> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
>> Subject: [nagdu] guide dog schools
>>
>> Hi all,
>> I think working with a school with many representatives in a lot of
>> the States would be a plus for me in case something goes wrong. Also
>> I'd want to attend a school where I don't have complete ownership of
>> the dog, at least for now since I'm a college student. Being a college
>> student, I will also need financial help from the guide dog school for
>> vets. I'm not sure if this is asking for a lot or if there are any schools
> that offer these things.
>> Please let me know if you have suggestions or ideas.
>> Thanks in advance, Hannah
>>
>>
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