[NAGDU] Apprentice Instructor

Sun Aug 6 23:45:42 UTC 2017

I have also helped others with owner training.  We all lived.

When I am working with a person who is new to dog travel, I stay right with 
them, usually just a pace behind.  I am listening to the traffic and will 
move in front if I have even a glimmer of doubt that the dog isn't going to 
stop.  I use a cane and will cross my cane in front of the person and dog to 
block them from entering the street if necessary.  If there is no traffic on 
the street, I will stay behind and let the person figure out if the dog ran 
the curb.

I believe blind people can be guide dog trainers and even instructors, but 
we aren't going to be able to do it in the same exact way that sighted 
people do these jobs.  The results can be the same, but the methods are 
going to have to include alternative approaches.

Maybe this means team teaching, maybe it's using a reader or something like 
Aira.  Maybe it's 1 on 1 teaching with students, maybe it's something else. 
I don't know. The first step will be to find or create a training program 
willing to make it work.  There is going to have to be the sincere 
commitment to be flexible with experimenting with different approaches and 
the understanding that it will take some trial and error before finding the 
right tools and techniques.   Right now, I don't think there is any training 
program with this level of commitment to employing blind people in this 
capacity.

Julie
On The Go with Guide-and-Service-Dogs.com
http://www.guide-and-service-dogs.com
also find my products in the Blind Mice Mega Mall
<https://www.blindmicemegamall.com/bmm/shop/Directory_Departments?storeid=1916046>
-----Original Message----- 
From: S L Johnson via NAGDU
Sent: Sunday, August 06, 2017 3:37 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Cc: S L Johnson
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Apprentice Instructor

Cindy:

I know we have blind people training their own dogs.  I think the issue with
the schools is that a blind person could not see to know what is happening
with the students and dogs in the street.  Just think of how many times a
trainer has to step in to rescue somebody when the dog is not paying
attention or the person is not following the dog correctly and is ready to
crash into something or end up out in traffic.  I know it has happened to me
a few times.  If a sighted instructor was not there I would have been
injured or hit by a car.  It does happen sometimes when a dog just decides
it does not want to work and is not safe.  The trainers are always watching
as we move around the building and when we are working our dogs out in the
street.  When a blind person is training their own dog they only have
themselves to worry about not an entire class of students.  As I said before
I think the schools should hire blind people to assist with training the
dogs and to help out on class along with the sighted instructors.
Unfortunately I do not think this will ever happen but we can always hope
things will change.

Sandra

-----Original Message----- 
From: Cindy Ray via NAGDU
Sent: Sunday, August 06, 2017 4:05 PM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Cc: Cindy Ray
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Apprentice Instructor

I have to wonder why an instructor could not be blind. After all, we have
blind people training their own dogs who are blind. What would the real
difference be? I used to feel as you do, Sandra, but I'm not so sure I do
now.
Cindy Lou Ray
cindyray at gmail.com

-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of S L Johnson via
NAGDU
Sent: Sunday, August 6, 2017 3:00 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Cc: S L Johnson <SLJohnson25 at comcast.net>
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Apprentice Instructor

Hello:

I do think the schools should consider hiring blind people as training
assistants.  However, a blind person could not be a full instructor.  The
instructors have to be able to see what is happening with the students and
dogs.  It would be a question of safety.

Sandra
-----Original Message-----
From: Buddy Brannan via NAGDU
Sent: Sunday, August 06, 2017 3:32 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Cc: Buddy Brannan
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Apprentice Instructor

GDB had a pilot program that they set up to fail once. Otherwise, none of
the schools would even think about hiring a blind apprentice...they might
then have to think about graduating one to a full instructor,
and...well...we just can't have that.

--
Buddy Brannan, KB5ELV - Erie, PA
Mobile (preferred): (814) 431-0962
Phone: (814) 860-3194
Email: buddy at brannan.name

> On Aug 6, 2017, at 1:27 PM, Haylie Gallacher via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> wrote:
>
> Anyone know if any of the guide dog schools have ever hired a a blind
> apprentice instructor?  If so, which ones?  I am thinking about being a
> guide dog instructor is why I am asking.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Haylieof
>
> _______________________________________________
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> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> NAGDU:
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