[gdum-l] about seeing eye

[Bob Hachey]

Hi Lisa,
The questions you pose are not easy to answer. I can think of examples of very good guide dogs from a number of schools, and a few not-so-good dogs from the same schools. Keep in mind that any answer you get on these questions will be only the opinion of those answering the questions.
Having said all that, I'll attempt to weigh in with my views on this one. 
I've been to two schools, Guiding Eyes for the Blind and the Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation. I've received good dogs and mediocre dogs from both schools. 
In my view, the German shepherds are a bit smarter than the labs, but they also tend to be a good deal more stubborn about change. I've stuck with Fidelco mainly because I like the in community training program. When I first started training with my first Fidelco dog after two GEB dogs, I noticed that they were using more commands like find the counter and find the stairs. I was most impressed with the additional abilities of the Fidelco dogs. However, I've learned that GEB now uses these commands. I do believe that the schools do the best they can to put out a good product. I know that there is an association of guide dog schools, but I'm not sure if they're in the business of rating the schools. 
One minor complaint I have about Fidelco and this one might be my own fault since I like to walk fast. I've been getting very large dogs that don't do well if they have to stay still in small spaces for long periods of time. 
After sustaining a knee injury in 2009, I'm not walking quite as fast as I used to so perhaps that means I'll get a smaller dog next time around. 

Finally, is there any particular reason why you're wanting to switch schools?

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Lisa Watts 
  To: Guide Dog Users of Massachusetts 
  Sent: Tuesday, June 22, 2010 7:44 PM
  Subject: Re: [gdum-l] about seeing eye


        Hi,

        I don't post often, but wondered if those that have been to more than one school can give input of schools that have the best trained dogs, friendliest, and overall best rating?  I have only been to one, GDB, but I would like eventually to try another school when it comes that time.  thanks

        __._,_.___

        --- On Tue, 6/22/10, Kim.Charlson at Perkins.org <Kim.Charlson at Perkins.org> wrote:


          From: Kim.Charlson at Perkins.org <Kim.Charlson at Perkins.org>
          Subject: Re: [gdum-l] about seeing eye
          To: gdum-l at acb.org
          Date: Tuesday, June 22, 2010, 5:13 PM


          Regarding Seeing Eye’s dress code, I was just there and came home June 4th and we were not asked or required to dress up for lunch or any other meal. I do think that if there was going to be a board of trustees meeting, they might ask students not to wear shorts for that meal … but they don’t say you have to wear a dress shirt or skirt. It’s quite relaxed.



          Kim






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          From: gdum-l-bounces at acb.org [mailto:gdum-l-bounces at acb.org] On Behalf Of Val Duclos
          Sent: Tuesday, June 22, 2010 7:10 PM
          To: gdum-l at acb.org
          Subject: [gdum-l] about seeing eye



          hi kim or anyone else who has been to seeing eye in the past year.



          someone told me that the dress code there is formal again.  for lunch we used to have to dress up either by wearing a formal pants suit or a dress or skirt and blouse.



          when i went in 2008 we could actually go to lunch in shorts.  



          my question is have they gone back to there formal way of dressing for lunch?



          val and indra 


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