[nagdu] Getting a guide dog

Thu Feb 9 16:26:46 UTC 2012

RJ, If you don't want a dog, don't get one.  I'm not sure what your church 
friends are saying when they accuse you of not trying.  Not trying to do 
what?

The mobility person touched on a topic that doesn't seem to be stressed 
enough, IMO and that's orientation.  You need to have at least some idea 
where you're going or where you want to go when you're working with a dog. 
A dog can guide you around many of the landmarks a cane will find by 
default, and this, along with the lack of the constant tactile feedback can 
throw people off.  It cracks me up when die hard cane users go on about how 
skilled they are and get lost if they can't find the trash can on the corner 
they're cane always seems to find.

It doesn't mean that you couldn't work with a dog in the future, but it does 
mean that you're not ready now, and no one has any business guilt tripping 
you into thinking otherwise.

Lisa

I'd like an order of ambition, & a side of focus, and a large coffee. And 
could you super size that please? It really needs to last for the rest of 
the day.
Lisa Belville
missktlab1217 at frontier.com

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "RJ Sandefur" <joltingjacksandefur at gmail.com>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, February 06, 2012 5:35 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Getting a guide dog

> Here is what my mobility instructor said in his report.
> Preparation for guide dog - Mr. Sandefur had training to simulate use of a 
> guide
> within the context of residential travel and semi-commercial travel. Mr. 
> Sandefur
> found the orientation very challenging and after reflecting on his 
> experience, he
> has since decided that he prefers the use of a long cane to guide dog 
> travel.
>
>
>
>
>
> Recommendations: Mr. Sandefur will need additional training to accomplish 
> his goal of
> commercial travel. It should be noted that Mr. Sandefur has decided to no 
> longer pursue
> his goal of guide dog preparation. Some people at church feel I gave up to 
> soon, and that I didn't try heard enough. My family has told me not to 
> apply for a guide dog because I'd just be wasting my time, but how am I 
> supposed to know if I'm really ready to repsue this again in the future? 
> My mentel health said that I have trouble ajusting to new things. RJ
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Margo and Arrow" <margo.downey at verizon.net>
> To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Monday, February 06, 2012 6:07 PM
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Getting a guide dog
>
>
>> Even if you're good with a cane but prefer a dog, that's fine, too.  I 
>> was always a good cane user but prefer a dog.
>>
>> margo and Arrow
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: "Cindy Ray" <cindyray at gmail.com>
>> To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Monday, February 06, 2012 5:38 PM
>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Getting a guide dog
>>
>>
>>> First of all, I think it is your call if you want a dog or need one. If 
>>> you are good with a cane, then you should continue using it. If you want 
>>> a dog, you should have one. I'm not sure how the dog would make 
>>> transportation easier unless you would feel more confident walking if 
>>> you had a dog. If you believe that's true, a dog is good. Dogs are a lot 
>>> of responsibility, but if you love dogs and feel it is worth it to you, 
>>> for me it would seem you should consider getting a dog. I didn't catch 
>>> how you really feel about it yourself. A lot of people think the dog is 
>>> the answer for all blind people. The dog is not the answer for all blind 
>>> people. My husband doesn't use one because he says he doesn't have the 
>>> patience and would rather use a cane. What it really boils down to is 
>>> you need to consider the pros and cons; if you don't want a dog then 
>>> don't get it. It's not an excuse and I don't know what they mean when 
>>> they say you aren't trying. You aren't trying to do what?
>>>
>>>
>>> Cindy
>>>
>>> On Feb 6, 2012, at 3:38 PM, RJ Sandefur wrote:
>>>
>>>> I have a questions for everyone on the list. What was it that made you 
>>>> decide to get a guide dog? My Family and mobility instructor both tell 
>>>> me they do not see a need for me to have one. I live in Okeechobee 
>>>> Florida. We do not have any public transpertation. I practually have to 
>>>> be driven to church, the store etc. Others from people at church are 
>>>> telling me to stop making excuses, and get a dog, but when I tell them 
>>>> I am a cane traveler, they accuse me of not trying. I tell them it is a 
>>>> huge responcibility, and they tell me that it is just me making 
>>>> excuses. Am I making excuses? I do not have the finational means in 
>>>> order to care for a guide dog. I'm only just making excuses. What do 
>>>> you as guide dog users think? I would have to feed the dog, take it for 
>>>> check ups. It is an animal, and it is a responcibility. RJ
>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>
>>>
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>>
>>
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>
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