[mountainstate] My guide dog

[Randi]

Since I'm a new guide dog handler, I can't say anything about getting  
home and using a dog versus a cane. What I can say is that it's a  
lifestyle. A can can be folded up or propped against a wall or tucked  
under a chair. A dog needs constant handling, feeding, water,  
relieving, grooming. When I work Jayden I'm an embassador. People will  
ask questions. A guide dog is much more social than a cane. It's like  
an ice breaker.

The amazing things about my dog are too many to list off hand and I've  
only had him a wek. Today we had a car turn right in front of us even  
though we had the right of way. Jaydend stopped dead. He finds stairs  
and elevators, he finds chairs. Tonight he found our dinner table and  
then our room. It was our first night working in harness in the  
building.

He is becoming my companion in addition to my mobility tool. It's  
really incredible. I learned everything I could about guide dogs  
before I decided. I talked to handlers and I talked to people who  
chose not to have a dog.

The training is grueling. It's a mental and physical full time job for  
three weeks straight, six days a week. But I think it will be totally  
worth it the first time I work Jayden down the hill to Walgreens.

It's definitely not a decision to be made lightly. I would just do  
lots of research and talk to guide dog handlers as well as cane  
travelers who chose not to get a dog.

~Randi and Jayden

One Day at a Time

On Feb 24, 2010, at 8:25 PM, Teresa Dawson wrote:

>
>
>
>
> CAIN TRAVEL OR DOG TRAVEL
>
> Hi all My eyes are getting worse and I am considering Dog travel or  
> Cain travel.  I am very good with Cain travel.  Can you tell me your  
> opinion on Cain verses dog travel.  What are the pros and cons of  
> both types of travel?  Thanks Teresa
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> mountainstate mailing list
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