[Nfbf-l] NFBF 2010 State Convention

Wed Jun 2 16:24:20 UTC 2010

I did go to Seeing Eye for a four day tour with my O&M class. I am not
saying I did not learn a lot from the experience, but I am not a trainer for
the dog.
Judy, I liked the compareson with the car. Your right, the people who just
let their car go or don't pay attention to the rules of the road may need to
attend a defenive driving course. All drivers benifit from a refresher
course every once in a while.
Remember, we teach per client, not a one size fits all.
What ever works for you is what we will do!
Holly

On Wed, Jun 2, 2010 at 10:53 AM, Sherrill O'Brien <
sherrill.obrien at verizon.net> wrote:

> Hello all,
>
> I, unlike Sherri, didn't need my cane during convention, but I always bring
> it as a back-up, just in case.  I also like having it in case there's a
> tricky entrance or room which is hard to find.  I can learn some landmark
> with the cane, show it more easily to the dog, and then give lots of
> praise.
> In this way, I reduce my frustration level, and can give clearer
> instructions to the dog.  I will definitely be doing this in Dallas at the
> big Anatole Hilton, where there are steps in the middle of nowhere
>
> Sherrill
> !
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nfbf-l-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbf-l-bounces at nfbnet.org]On
> Behalf Of Jody W. Ianuzzi
> Sent: Wednesday, June 02, 2010 10:37 AM
> To: 'NFB of Florida Internet Mailing List'
> Subject: Re: [Nfbf-l] NFBF 2010 State Convention
>
>
> Hello Holly,
>
> Yes, but ALL guide dog users still use a cane too.  There are occasions
> when
> we leave our dogs at home for one reason or another and we use our canes.
>
> I have a good friend whose guide dog died suddenly in January and he is
> waiting for his successor dog.  He has been taking his daily three mile
> walk
> using his cane.
>
> When I go to the beach I leave my dog at home and I use a cane there.  I
> don't want her to get over heated laying in the sand and I don't want her
> picking up fleas.  People don't take their dogs to loud concerts or other
> places that would be a negative experience for a dog.  I also leave my dog
> home when going out with friends who are allergic or who don't want my dog
> in their home because of allergies etc.  When I worked in an office I had
> my
> dog stay under my desk when I had a short trip to the coffee maker or the
> ladies room and I used my cane then.
>
> I carry a California Cane Slimline cane with me for this purpose.  They
> even
> make a cane holder that fits on a dog's harness.
>
> Using a guide dog does not mean you NEVER use a cane.  Cane skills are
> still
> kept up.  I also think all dog handlers realize their dogs might get sick
> or
> hurt and they might not be able to work for a while so they realize they
> have to keep their skills up.
>
> I had an awesome O&M instructor and I did learn under blindfolds.  I do
> have
> hand motion vision but I will close my eyes while working my dog now and
> then to double check her skills.
>
> I suppose you can compare mobility to owning a car.  some people take
> excellent care of their cars and other people just let them fall apart.
>
> As an O&M student I would certainly hope that you would be exposed to more
> then a few chapters and a few handouts on guide dog travel.  I know my O&M
> instructor spent a week at a guide dog school observing and actually
> walking
> with a guide dog under blindfolds.  He had a real appreciation of the
> information conveyed.
>
> I know I was surprised at how much I am able to pick up through my dog's
> harness.  I know which foot she is stepping out on by the swing of the
> harness and I can even feel her breathing.  The amount of information is
> amazing.  I like the fact that I can cross a busy parking lot and tell my
> dog to 'find inside' and she goes right to the door.  I do miss the defined
> input I got from a cane on stairs but all in all I do like the guide dog
> experience better then a cane.
>
> I remember my first solo walk was at a mall where I had never been before.
> We were dropped off at a Borders entrance and told to have fun for two
> hours.  I went in the store and rather then having to negotiate all the
> displays my dog just wove in and out until I heard the main mall sounds.  I
> walked the length of the mall listening and smelling for clues until we
> found the food court where we had a snack.  We walked from one store to the
> next to see what was there.  My dog is such a girl and as we passed each
> store opening she would slow down and turn her head to see what shopping
> experience might be there.  When it was time to leave, I just told her to
> 'find outside' and we walked right back to the door I had come in at
> Borders.  I am a fast walker and so is my dog.  She is like driving a race
> car.
>
> I don't go to the mall often but when I do my dog remembers I like the
> Hallmark store.  Rather then having to find the entrance she will pause in
> front of the store.  If I tell her to go in, she weaves right back to the
> scented candles.  That's my girl!
>
> JODY
>
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Nfbf-l mailing list
> Nfbf-l at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbf-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> Nfbf-l:
>
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbf-l_nfbnet.org/sherrill.obrien%40ve
> rizon.net
>
> _______________________________________________
> Nfbf-l mailing list
> Nfbf-l at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbf-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> Nfbf-l:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbf-l_nfbnet.org/hbeanie%40gmail.com
>

-- 
"God gives you 86,400 seconds in a day. Take one to say Thank You."
Walter A. Ward