[nagdu] plug for your own

Sun Oct 16 11:03:56 UTC 2011

Shannon, that is great advice.  In the next 5 or so years, that is exactly
what I plan on doing.  Even though my patronage has been with LD, that
doesn't mean that 5 years from now they will meet my needs.  

Steve

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Shannon Dyer
Sent: Saturday, October 15, 2011 10:32 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] plug for your own

Hi, all.

I really don't think any school is "the best" or "the worst". Every school
has its good and bad points. Every school has had its share of bad matches.
It's true that some seem to have more of this than others, but, even so, it
has happened at every single school.

Instead of trying to figure out which school is the best overall, it might
make sense to look at which school meets your particular needs. You could go
to a school with a wonderful reputation, but, if it doesn't meet your
individual needs, you may not end up having a good experience.

Most people are loyal to the schools we went to, but there comes a time when
we need to put that aside and look at what an individual is asking for. I'm
a GDF grad. If someone who was a disabled veteran asked me if I thought they
would be successful there, I would say they had a good chance. If someone
told me they wanted their twelve-year-old son or daughter to get a dog from
them, my response would be quite different.

It's fine to appreciate what our schools have done for us, but what works
for us doesn't always work for everyone else.

Shannon and Caroline
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On Oct 15, 2011, at 10:28 PM, Larry D. Keeler wrote:

> Great evqaluation Julie!  That is why I usually speak for the school I
went to.  Even though Leader is closer and I know they also have some really
great things going on!  Maybe after our state convention I may write about
some of them.  They'll be at the convention on November 4th.
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Julie Phillipson"
<jbrew48 at verizon.net>
> To: "NAGDU" <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Saturday, October 15, 2011 10:05 PM
> Subject: [nagdu] plug for your own
> 
> 
>> OK I do not intend to set off a food fight here so lets keep this
discussion thoughtful and reasonable.  I can give Guiding Eyes a plug
because I am a 4 time grad.  Margo can give Seeing Eye a plug because she is
a 4 time grad of their program.  No matter which school our dog is from we
want to say they are one of the best schools out there.  So Margo and all
let me tell you about GEB, I don't say much on this list, because I am tired
of hearing all the bad and good points about this school or that school and
frankly training program bashing.  Some schools are small and have less
history then others but the dogs I've seen from different schools are
basically very similar in quality and training.  GEB breeds and trains their
own dogs and it shows in the quality and temperament of their dogs.  Seeing
Eye also breeds their own as do several other schools, and I know they trade
breeding stock between schools even in other countries.  There have been
dogs that have not worked out for what ever reason.  Is it the dog or, is it
the handler, or more likely it is just the wrong match.  Every school has
their share.  GEB visits or is in touch with each of their grads at least
once a year not to spy, but to see that you are not having any problems and
that the dog is still working safely. Each school has a policy in place
concerning ownership, GEB gives the option to apply for ownership after 2
years.  After 30 years of working with a guide dog I have never felt
compelled to legally own my dog.  I already do in any way that counts he is
my dog and we already have a very close bond and I think that is more
important then having a piece of paper that says I own him.  If you ask for
ownership it makes know difference in the quality of follow-up services that
you get from GEB or in finding a retirement home if you need help with that.
If you retire your dog and find a home yourself GEB will send someone out to
be sure it will be a suitable home.  Before you jump on that Marion, there
is a very good reason for that. It happened to one of our members, and her
retired dog. The home she put her dog in, who were at the time very good
friends didn't take care of the dog, once it was discovered,  and after 2
years of abuse GEB was able to rescue the dog who had to be put down in the
end because she was neglected and very sick.  If you choose to keep your dog
with you after retirement and get a new dog that is OK with them.  geb has a
policy of maintaining your dog at a healthy weight and if you do you can get
up to $300 per year toward vet. care and other supplies you can buy from GEB
at cost from the school,  is you do not maintain a healthy weight you will
get $200 so there is a good incentive to help your dog stay healthy and
happy and be able to be with you for a longer time.  As I understand it GEB
is the only U.S. school that will train world wide.  In my class in April
there were 3 students from Brazil and 1 from Spain.  GEB trains dogs for
people with special needs IE balance, deaf blind or severe hearing loss, and
they have a program for training dogs for children with autism and it has
become a very successful program.  I like that the different schools have
branched out to serve specialized populations, GDF works with disabled
veterans, Seeing eye and I think Southeastern is still working with people
who need to use a wheelchair and most of the schools if not all, will try to
accommodate other health considerations.  OK I know there are many other GEB
grads on this list and others that are members of NAGDU, we don't say much
though.  I still have to say it though Margo *GEB is the best*just my
opinion though (grin)!
>> 
>> 
>> Julie Phillipson
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