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

[Buddy Brannan]

Hi Matt,

Guide Dogs For the Blind allos one to apply for ownership after the first year. The Seeing Eye grants ownership upon graduation, and so does Guide Dog Foundation in most cases. Guide Dogs of America, I believe, also grants ownership immediately, but I don't know for certain, and they only have three or four classes a year. There may be others that grant full ownership, but most of the rest have some sort of conditional fake ownership, or else retain ownership themselves. 

As for the length of the program, I'm sure you could negotiate time off work; this has never been a problem for me, anyway, especially with an explanation. You could use vacation or sick time, perhaps, or you might get a leave of absence. The kiddo would be another challenge. Even if you got in-home training, you'd need some help with care for him at least some of the time.

There are a couple of programs that offer in-home training. Fidelco (who has had some alleged questionable practices lately) places all dogs with in community training. So does reedom Guide Dogs. Other schools offer in-home placement, though most of those only offer for retrains and under specific circumstances on a case by case basis. In any case, you really need the time, IMO, especially as a first timer. Althugh, I *think* Guide Dogs For the Blind does offer an accelerated two-week class for new handlers now, so that's worth looking into. It's still two weeks though. 
--
Buddy Brannan, KB5ELV - Erie, PA
Phone: (814) 860-3194 or 888-75-BUDDY



On Aug 19, 2012, at 8:48 PM, Matt Gilman <lvsr01 at gmail.com> wrote:

> 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.
> 
> 
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