[nagdu] (no subject)

Wed Jul 16 20:37:54 UTC 2014

Becky,

Good example of how a high partial can benefit from a guide dog. /smile/ 
I was thinking back to a discussion or so about folks who had enough 
vision to get around with a cane who gave their reasons for getting 
guides and described the benefits, which were very similar to your 
husband's experience. So after reading those, I gave up wondering if it 
was odd for a person who didn't absolutely need a cane to get around to 
become a guide dog user. /smile/

Seems when I was first looking into getting a guide dog, there was still 
a fair bit of resistance to even low partials using a guide. It was 
still taken somewhat as a given that the handler would use her vision 
and ruin the dog. I think this has by now been shown not to be the case 
since so many low partials (or even middle or high partials) have shown 
themselves to be good guide dog users. I know I've committed the sin of 
second guessing my guide believing I could see what was going on, but 
she's fairly patient with me while I discover that I should have 
listened to her all along. Then she enjoys saying "I told you so!" in 
her poodley way. /lol/ She adapts well to changes in my vision -- when I 
get stupid until my brain gets used to the lack of input -- and the 
daily variances since what is left of my vision is light-dependent. 
She's not the only guide to have to deal with those changes in the 
handler who does it well. So there's another myth busted! /smile/

Barb, you asked about traffic training for owner-trainers. I haven't 
forgotten, just haven't had time to sit down and make sense. The short 
answer, from my experience and what I've heard from others, is the dog 
learns a lot from all the ground work on leash before harness training 
begins. Apparently, my dog figured out from the times I would start to 
step out, then decide the car I heard was too close and step back -- 
showing a bit more of my fear than I might have -- that cars are to be 
watched out for. I was at the point where I was wondering how to arrange 
to get some driver to help me finish up teaching traffic checks when 
some bleeping dangerous driver gave her the chance to show me she could 
sure as heck make a traffic check by knocking me back a couple of feet 
so that he missed her by inches as he zoomed through the light. The same 
night, about the time my nerves were recovering as we were on our way 
home, a bicyclist gave her another chance to show her stuff. Okay, so I 
panicked when I heard a scream coming towards us fast on what I believed 
to be an empty street. But Mitzi did exactly what she should, so one of 
us has a clue. /lol/ I got home to flop on the couch and get my wits 
back while I watched the news, only to hear that during that same period 
of time, there were three hit and run deaths in the area. I debated 
whether to crawl under the couch and stay there, but decided instead to 
declare my dog traffic trained and be happy. /grin/

I know a couple of owner-trainers who have convinced folks to drive 
around giving the dog a car to avoid without the real danger of natural 
traffic hazards. Most people I've asked could not bring themselves to 
even pretend to try to run over Mitzi! They did not say whether it would 
trouble them to aim their car at me... /lol/ So traffic training is a 
bit tricky, and you have to find creative ways to teach the dog what it 
needs to know in order to keep the two of you safe.

Tami

On 07/16/2014 12:22 PM, Becky Frankeberger via nagdu wrote:
> Barb, my husband went from travel vision to using a guide dog. He absolutely loves the experience. He did later take O and M and used a cane, but to stride out was so wonderfully freeing with a guide dog. He did not have to look down and worry if he missed a crack or step. He looked up and is so happy working a guide dog. Your dog will love going with you on your job. Just make sure she sees you when you are away from her in the tight areas you go into. High partials love working guide dogs, so don’t worry about anything. As long as you are legally blind and that is a wide range of abilities, try it out. If you don’t like it or the extra work is too much, then you have other options. I remember my first dog. I thought oh I have to get up even earlier to catch the van to church. So I got up got dressed fed the dog and out we went for park time and a quick brush time. Back in to finished the fine points of dressing, and breakfast. I was ready a half hour before the van came. Boy w
as I shocked. So this low partial has enjoyed the miracle of what these dogs can do to keep us safe.
>
>
>
> The miracle of you don’t have to follow any longer, that you can lead if you choose. Right now you don’t have that choice. You said you cross streets so I would anyway, say your orientation is fine. Leader has a brush up program for a week if you need help with O and M.
>
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> I love myth busting you have to be very low vision and all the other crap. The myth you have to use a cane first. No you just need to show you can orient yourself and move about getting where you want to go safely.
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> The dog is extra work, but the freedom she will give you well you won’t even think the things you do for her is work.
>
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> Sorry I don’t know why I keep saying she.
>
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>
> There are so many activities at night you could go to with a guide dog. I would walk to the theater and see live plays. My dogs were always welcomed. They would even tell me if there were going to be loud noises or people running up and down the aisles. Then we would walk the several blocks home confidently and safely.
>
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> Anyway My husband and I both have guide dogs.
>
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> So you choose your path, talk to schools, talk to us, talk to friends in the area.
>
> Warmly,
>
> Becky and Jake
>
>
>
> From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Barb breuer via nagdu
> Sent: Wednesday, July 16, 2014 10:50 AM
> To: Full Name
> Subject: [nagdu] (no subject)
>
>
>
> I have been doing a lot of thinking sence  I started looking into getting I guide dog.  Like do I need one, will it be a help to me, or can I get around well enough on my own.  Plus do I have to much vision to qualify.
> I have a good amount of vision for a blind person.  My mother went to a school for the blind, and didn't want her kids to go to one.  She wanted us to learn to use the sight we had.
> So now I feel like, I can do these things, cross the street, walk without a cane, find my way.
> I have had people I know ask why do you need a guide dog?  My answer is because the dog would help me at night when I don't see so good, and in the bright sun, plus I have thick glasses and I have little side vision.  I get a long well at work, but I clean locker rooms for a living and fold towels.  Not a lot of need for dog.
>
> I don't like going places that I haven't been so much because I do think about, will there be a step or something I don't see.  I walk slower because of it and when I am with people I walk a step behind and watch where they step.
> So I feel like a dog would make my life easier, and having a companion with me would be nice.
> I Am in my 50's and do think about how walking a dog,  people think twice before they want to jump you.  But having a dog is a good way to  meet new friends.
> Sorry for it being so long, I just have a lot on my mind.
> Barb
>
> Sent from Xfinity Connect Mobile App
>
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