[misc.handicap] DOG GUIDES

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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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

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