[nagdu] SOme more questions/ Thinking of getting a guide dog

[Matt Gilman]

Hello everyone,

Thanks to everyone for all the good info with my last email.  I think it cleared up some confusion that I had.

Now I am  on to the next part…  I was doing some research about the process of applying to get a guide dog.   I was told to make sure that whatever service I use  allows me to take ownership f the dog at the end of the training program.  does anyone have suggestions on this?  I am not sure which services wouldn't allow you to take owner ship of the dog at the end.  It seems strange to me that they would want to keep the ownership of the dog when I would be the person with the dog.  It's kind of like renting a dog or at least that's the way it seems.

The other question I have is I have is it seems like many of these training programs take around 3 weeks to do.  Plus you have to go away to do the training.  Is there any training service that comes to your area?  The main reason I ask is because I have a family with a 2 year old son that I take care of.  I also work 40 hours a week.  I don't really know if I would be able to miss that much time all at once.  I might be able to be away for a week or 2 but not 3.
Also what kind of cost are there to go through the training program?  If there are costs that you have to pay out of pocket to get a guide dog, is there any state assistance or federal assistance?  I live in Baltimore Maryland.  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.  I am not talking about costs of owning a dog as I already know those from owning 2 dogs already.  I am thinking of the training cost and possibly fees to the organization.

Thanks for any info.

Matt.

Matt Gilman
Matt at blindbiketrials.com
www.blindbiketrials.com
Skype 'BlindBikeTrials'
lvsr01 at gmail.com
I am motivating the world because of my blindness while riding a bike.