Category: Animal House
Hey all,
Well, my home interview is supposed to be in June for the Guiding Eyes up in New York. The thing is if I do it now, my class would be in the July session, and as soon as I got out, I'd be off to college. I wish I still had the email that I recieved from the admissions person to show you what she said, but I deleted it. She says that 3 weeks will not be enough time for me to get acclamated to the dog. She also says that most people will get the dog after they are done their freshman year of college. My question is, how long did it take you to get aclamated to your dogs? My mom wants me to go for it, I agree with what the admissions said,...now I really don't know what to do. Is 3 weeks enough time? Should I wait until after my freshman year of college? I really need some advice here.
Thanks,
Mike.
Are you sure you are getting into a class so soon after your home interview? Usually a person has to wait longer than a month after their interview before they get a class date. If they do match you up with a dog and you work well together for that month you're at GEB, you should be ok. Try to learn your college campus as much as you can before going to GEB that way it will be easier to work with your dog when you get back. I know a few people who got their dogs before starting college and were fine.
Here are some things to think about. Some of this you may already have thought of, but they're worth mentioning. First, the pros of waiting until after your freshman year. That gives you time to learn the campus so you can teach your dog once you get them. If you're more confident about where you need to go, your dog will have more confidence in their work. This way you're less prone to getting frustrated because you're lost and your dog can't help you.
Here's an idea that may or may not work depending on your situation. How far is the college from your home? Will you know before you go in to get your dog what classes you'll be having for college and where they're scheduled to be? I ask because if you could get out there with an O&M instructor or even a friend or family member and learn some of the campus, that would help if you decide that you do want to get the dog now.
I do think that it takes some time adjusting to having a guide. You'll learn a lot in class, but it's a little different when you go home. You won't have other students and instructors around to talk to.
I think the most important issues here are the limited time you have between getting a dog and starting college, and this is your freshman year and you'll be in an unfamiliar place and adjusting to what college is like. It's ultimately your decision, but I would think about how you feel you're going to handle those 2 new adjustments in your life. Sorry you're in a tough place there. I'd say if you had a few more weeks between class and going to college, it would be a much easier decision to make.
I'd have to go with the O and M instructtor as the college is in either NC or Georgia. I say that, because I've gotten into the one in NC, and am waiting on Georgia's decision. If I get into Georgia's I'll probably be going there, as its a lot smaller then North Carolina Central University is (NCCU is 100 acres). Thanks for all the help.
Mike, I'd say complete your freshman year, then get your dog. I got my dog right before I started college, and I didn't have time to acclamate to having him, either. I was trying to take on too many new things at one time, and did none of them well. Leader tried to warn me of that, but I insisted on getting a dog in that class. So, that's my experience and suggestion, for what it's worth.
I'm not so sure I would either. I mean, there is a possibility that you and your dog might really click in class, and three weeks before the semester starts might be enough, but you really are putting a lot of stress on yourself and the new dog. I'm not sure I would try it myself, but the decision is up to you entirely.
I thought it would be helpful to go through my first year of college using a cane and then make a decision on whether to get a dog. I applied around November, interview in January, and class in June. I was pretty familiar with campus at that point, which was very helpful as I was able to tell when the dog was trying to go off course because of an enticing squirrel.
Yeah, if you don't know your campus, you might not want a dog right now. Too much stress for it and you.