Category: Animal House
Hi folks,
I'm Bruce, 60 yr old from upstate NY. I have been losing vision to NTG for decades,
declared legally blind two yrs ago. Since then fields and light detection levels have
decreased a bunch. I'm functionally blind at times, but at other times in different lighting,
can read pretty well with a small central field in the better eye, but mostly glare and blur
and blind areas....
I've read a lot of the old posts here and they helped with my decision to get a dog, and in
choosing a school. So thanks for that. I applied to two schools, and was accepted by
GEB. I will be going to school in November.
So I'm at that stage where I don't even know what all I don't know, and "what if?"
Questions are beginning to surface. While I have confidence in the school knowing what
they're doing, the reality of life is yes, there will be unanticipated situations, and I'm
interested in ways teams figure them out. So I figured it was time to hear from those
with success stories. (Cue the "blind leading the blind" music, "dum da da dum" here).
As I said, I'm not really sure what I don't know, but a few things are starting to bubble up.
Like, how well can a guide and dog figure out village streets, with and without sidewalks,
with snow on the ground? I was starting to panic thinking about travel when my
remaining vision is absolutely useless due to winter glare and lack of contrast "white
out". I depend on shorelining increasingly lately, but I have not dealt with snow in years (I
was in Florida the last few years but returned north to live)
So, can I expect a dog to be able to work with me to walk down a village street that has
either no sidewalk or a sidewalk impassable due to snow? I mean "civilian" dogs
naturally figure out a path for themselves when snow blocks the sidewalk. They seem to
assess the overnight change and walk in the road, down the edge as needed to avoid
traffic. I assume I can get a guide to figure this out with me when I can't see where the
clearest way forward is. How well does it really work?
What else don't I know?
HI Bruce. Congratulations on your dog decision.
I'm currently working with my second guide from GEB. I did a lot of research into dog guide schools and found GEB was the best fit for what I was looking for.
During training they will work with you on working a dog with no sidewalks. You also take a trip to NYC and work a route/subways which is a great confidence booster for the two of you.
As for snow, I can't answer that in my own experience, but know teams that have worked in snow and hope they are able to chime in here.
A lot of the process is learning to work with your dog as a team, learning to read your dog's cues and behaviors, and just learning what it's like to work with a dog overall. I've had dogs off and on for the past 10 years and I'm still learning. :)
Best of luck and please feel to reach out hrough messages if you have any specific questions for me about dogs or GEB.
Yep, your dog will do that just fine. They're great at finding clear paths. And you
can ask the school about that.
The thing is, most schools don't just take you to a specific situation, and show
you get to get out of it. Cuz then, they'd never be able to cover all the
situations. What they do is teach you different commands, when to use them,
and how to follow the dog. Then you apply that to all the situations you're in. So
don't worry, you'll learn what you need to. And if you're unclear on something,
they're always willing to answer questions.
Thanks folks. Anything the veterans at this whole blind thing can offer will be
appreciated. As one of those losing vision by inches folk, I'm rather used to the rules of
living being mere sand castles, replaced with some new crap or other daily.. hope I can
learn from those further down the track...
welcome to the zone!.
I hope you like the site
Think about it like this. The dog can see. The dog will be much like a seeing companion, it just doesn't talk to you in English.
Ask lots of questions, and there's continuing follow up and support, should you need it from GEB. They'll definitely know how to answer this, and work with you and the furry one on this, being in your same part of the country, I would think. There will probably be snow during the November class.
Congratulations. I hope all goes well. Your pup will be a great help, and fun to have around, too.
Take a toy for him/her to the school with you. A Kong is usually a winner, as are the Jolly Bone, or the Jolly Jumper ball. (rubbery, durable toys from Jolly Pets.)
Post back, if you care to; I for one enjoy hearing about new guides, and how things are going. Good luck!