Carla.Campbell@f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org (Carla Campbell) (12/04/90)
Index Number: 12135 [This is from the Blink Talk Conference] Hi, Brad. Seven years ago I got my Golden Retriever, Chance from Leader Dogs. He is a great critter and continues to work well, even though he is rapidly approaching his ninth birthday. Dan McDonald was his/my trainer and I remain grateful to him for selecting Chance for me. As you may already have noticed, we talk about dog guides and the... urrm.. 'experience' of going through dog guide training a lot here on Blink Talk-- many of us have them, and many others enjoy hearing 'funny dog guide stories". So, while I think interest in the subject is great among the folks here, for the most part, I think Blink Talk is also a great forum for discussing doggie-related things. It provides warm fuzzy respite from tech talk. <grin> Looking forward to hearing more from you. Glad someone from the dog guide 'establishment' has decided to join us. Happy Turkey Day to you and the rest of the Blink Talkers out there. Cheers! --Carla -- Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!129!89!Carla.Campbell Internet: Carla.Campbell@f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org
Brad.Scott@f140.n150.z1.fidonet.org (Brad Scott) (12/04/90)
Index Number: 12156 [This is from the Blink Talk Conference] Send me your address and I'll send you complete information. There is too much info to try typing. Basically, any legally blind, 18 and over adult can apply. There is no cost for the training (if your accepted), we have 13 classes a year lasting 25 days. You live in our dormitory during that time. Orientation & Mobility is usually required, but we do accept some who have self taught skills. We are the step after the cane. If you have specific questions, I'll do my best to answer them here, Brad Scott -- Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!150!140!Brad.Scott Internet: Brad.Scott@f140.n150.z1.fidonet.org
Carla.Campbell@f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org (Carla Campbell) (12/05/90)
Index Number: 12247 [This is from the Blink Talk Conference] TG> Is he your first chance or your last chance? heheheh... I once offered one of my <cough> world-infamous peanutbutter 'n' jelly sandwiches to anyone who could come up with a pun using my mutt's name which I had not heard within a year of getting him. Only one person 'won', and I have yet to deliver his 'prize' to him. (and I did not gaurantee any particular delivery method. Projectile seems reasonable to me.) But... Chance is now a slim Chance. He used to be a fat Chance. In all seriousness-- you should have seen my face when my trainer first handed me the leash and said "this is your dog. He is a Golden Retriever, and his name is Chance.". I musta been quite a sight. All I could think, beyond "geez, he's fuzzy!", was "You wseriously want me to cross busy streets with something named.. Chance??". Since then, I have learned to appreciate the less-than-dull name. This, after seeing too many "Bonny", "Shep" and "Buddy"s as dog guides! <grin> That, or after crossing enough busy streets to realize that he's a Lucky Chance. --Carla -- Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!129!89!Carla.Campbell Internet: Carla.Campbell@f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org
Carla.Campbell@f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org (Carla Campbell) (12/05/90)
Index Number: 12269 [This is from the Blink Talk Conference] GM> I really enjoyed my training at Leaderdogs. The GM> food was good as well. I was at leaderdogs in February and I GM> nearly froze my butt off. Yipes! I was there in August and nearly froze. <grin> I cannot fathom doing February in Rochester, MI. No, thankyouverymuch. Glad you've got such a good pooch. I cannot say that I 'enjoyed' my time at Leader Dogs. I got a lot out of it-- namely one heck of a fuzzy 'mobility aid'-- but I have to admit, despite all the best efforts of the trainers and staff, I felt confined. Maybe it was my class-- there were a few neat people in it, but most were not the sort of folks I would normally have chosen to spend a month with in an enclosed space. <grin> Often, I wonder how I will take another 'round' at dog school. Way back then, I was a little more flexible than I am now. I am perhaps a bit more patient, now, but less inclined to tolerate dormitory life, having left college, now, and having disliked communal living so intensely for the last few years of my college life... And now that I have online responsibilities and job responsibilities which I could not lightly put aside for that long.. and a fiance whom I miss after a day or two, let alone a week or two... I just don't think I would deal as well with it now. I guess we'll see. In the mean time, Chance-dog continues to thrive, aside from his little problem with fireworks and Silly Putty. <grin> So, with any luck, I won't have to grit my teeth and stomach another month at dog school for a good long while. Cheers! --Carla ... I'm the kind of person my mother warned me about -- Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!129!89!Carla.Campbell Internet: Carla.Campbell@f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org
Dan.Kysor@f999.n203.z1.fidonet.org (Dan Kysor) (12/05/90)
Index Number: 12275 [This is from the Blink Talk Conference] hi, well you and i have been in this for about the same time. i am on my 4th guide dog. this is about the only place i know of where guide dog users (and now, guide dog workers) discuss the subject. what does leader dog feel about escellators? i know seeing eye uses them and guide dogs "may" use them in a couple of years (rumors) i have captured an old "guide dog" thread so if you'd like to read it, let me know and i'll send a floppy to you. -- Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!203!999!Dan.Kysor Internet: Dan.Kysor@f999.n203.z1.fidonet.org
Brad.Scott@f140.n150.z1.fidonet.org (Brad Scott) (12/05/90)
Index Number: 12298 [This is from the Blink Talk Conference] Leader Dog trains on and uses escalators, we have for about 6 or 7 years. However, training students how to negotiate them is based on an individual need. No student is forced to use an escalator, if the person doesn't see a need for that type of training, that's fine with us. No matter what precautions you take, or how much training the person or dog has received, they are still dangerous. If a person wishes that type of training, it is given as long as the person has the ability (mental and physical) to do it safely. Our basic policy, "if you don't absolutely have to use one, stay away from them. I have a video from a TV program where they highlighted escalator dangers. All of the folks were sighted and adults. The program showed chewed up shoes, clothes and physical damage to their person from accidents and mishaps on escalators. There are very few (but some) places where an escalator is the only means into or out of an area. Usually there will be stairs and/or elevators nearby. -- Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!150!140!Brad.Scott Internet: Brad.Scott@f140.n150.z1.fidonet.org
William.Wilson@f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org (William Wilson) (12/06/90)
Index Number: 12347 [This is from the Blink Talk Conference] DK> the subject. what does leader dog feel about escellators? i DK> know seeing eye uses them and guide dogs "may" use them in a DK> couple of years ( Dan, Nope, if anything, Seeing Eye was even more against using the dogs on escalators this time than they were 12 years ago! Willie ... BlinkTalk, Dr. Deb and Silver in Pittsburgh! -- Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!129!89!William.Wilson Internet: William.Wilson@f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org
Carla.Campbell@f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org (Carla Campbell) (12/29/90)
Index Number: 12601 [This is from the Blink Talk Conference] BS> Carla, your description was right on the money. It sounds to me BS> exactly what we teach (in most cases). Good to know! I've been feeling semi-sorta guilty all these years for 'teaching' him to do that. <grin> BS> I would have loved to have seen you with BS> Chance tucked under your arm! Oh, I'm told it was quite.. urrm.. entertaining. Chance and I were not as convinced of that. <grin> But it just goes to show that <ahem> large hips have their uses. But geez, does reddish-golden dog hair clash with navy-blue suit wool! I will never forget one comment I overheard while 'cruising' up an escalator with him propped up on my hip that way: "Mommy! Mommy! Look at the lady with the big stuffed red dog!" (I often am asked if he's an Irish Setter, he's so red for a Golden-- my stock response is "Nah-- dog guides have to have brains") I nearly dropped him, I was laughing so hard. "stuffed dog"-- r-ight. I can see it now: "New from matel: it drools and sheds just like a real dog! You'll just love "Fido", our life-sized golden Retriever Pal! Only $99.95! Batteries not included." People say the silliest things. --Carla -- Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!129!89!Carla.Campbell Internet: Carla.Campbell@f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org