First day in harness!

 

As normal the day began at 6am. I thought at the time I slept well, but will later realize I did not. The bed I am in, is a full or double, it’s fairly comfortable. And have heard from other students that their beds are not comfortable at all. I probably didn’t sleep well on this night because I was nervous, anxious, and a bit stressed about the harness walk, the first harness walk. I probably won’t be mentioning what I have for breakfast, as its turning out to be the same thing every morning. I have an egg allergy, if I haven’t mentioned it before, so my options are limited. Before going to “break” I was ready to go for the morning. On this day it was raining off and on. We left right at 8am. We all loaded up on a bus, that cans hold12 people, and goes. There is extra room in-between the rows for the dogs. We were taken to a nature trail that is on the out skirts of a bird area. It was also supposed to be the grounds of a mental hospital back in the day. Not sure how long ago that way. We all joked that our instructors were taking us to the funny farm. LOL

 

I took my laptop with us, because I had hoped to get some school work done. This did not happen. It’s really nice, because everyone is very nice about my school work, motivating, and being supportive about me. They usually ask what my papers are about, what the chapters are about. It’s hard for me to be here while in the middle of my semester, but also nice to have such a supportive class of students and instructors. In the morning I went first. So I put the body part of the harness on, and then as we were walking my instructor was watching to see what sort of fit the handle would need to be. We started at a 17, and then went to a 16. I started off; it was very scary for me at first. I thought my heart was going to come out of my chest. The path was very flat in the beginning, but sort of rough in the end. Pup did well, but it felt strange for me. Emma had a smooth gate, Missy has a different gate. I can certainly tell when Missy turns her head, so to tell her to “leave it”. My instructor was happy to see that. I started that right away, and she said that they usually have to teach students that in the beginning. The path was about 1 and half miles around. In the morning we got sprinkled on. Other students that went out after I did got poured on by the rain. One of the instructors is from Britain, so he likes the rainy weather. I did not want my hearing aids to get wet. Missy likes to air sniff, so I have to remind her not to, and to move on.

 

Other commands that are different from other schools are the “straight”, the “find the way” commands. “Straight” means just that. And “find the way” means there is a path, let’s take that one. Usually the “find the way” command is proceeded y a “right” or “left” command.  

 

We went back to the school for lunch. My pup is starting to work out her “break” or potty schedule. It is different that none of the other students are touching their dogs after they do their thing. I have been able to touch Missy and tell what she is doing. Other schools teach this right off the bat. It is important for me to touch my pup because I can’t hear that they are pooping or pee’ing. Right now the instructors are cleaning up after us. As I said by the time the afternoon came around I was already exhausted.

 

We went back out to the same location as in the morning. And still it was raining. The students that went out first got rained on. I went out last this turn, but did not get rained on, and even the sun came out. While I waited I finished up a paper, which was an accomplishment all in itself.  On my turn out, the school across the street was letting out. So I was told that there were lots of cars. I could hear the school buses, but not the cars. I used my support cane on this walk, as my legs were feeling a bit weak, and I was tired, thus I was a bit dizzy. Again Missy air sniffed, but I was able to control her with my voice. There was a part of the path that had really high grass, and there was a certain little Missy pup that was trying to grab blades of grass and eat them. She was also watching all the wild life. Like squirrels, birds and bugs. It was a better walk than the morning. In the part of the path that leveled off and was flat, I was able to pick up pace. I do love the speed variability with Missy. By the time I got back to the buss, I was extremely tired, and hot. It was humid out on this afternoon.

 

And yet back to the campus for “break”, feed and water for the pups. Dinner was yet again good. On this day, tomorrow, and Sunday there is a lady cook. Again fabulous food. We had meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and carrots.

 

After dinner was our lecture of grooming. I had no issues with this, as I have had two other dogs. It’s more of getting the pup use to the brushes, the combs and of your touch. I went down to the groom room, which a big room that has benches so you don’t have to lean over the dog. After wards I went back to my room, and participated in bible study that hubby was at. I was able to facetime with them for a few minutes so they could see the pup. But it did not last long as the wireless network kicked me off. I thought it might have had to do with the storms we were getting at the time, but I later do not.

 

After “breaking” for the last time. I again tried to work on school work, but was too tired. I fell asleep at 10pm.

 

Overall it was a great day, tiring, but well. In total I walked 3 miles, phew!

 

More later today, as I am writing this on Saturday morning before my lesson. Until next time….

First full day with my new pup!

Thursday September 27^th 2012

 

I definitely slept better on this night. I didn’t realize how tired I was until I fell asleep at the computer. Pup, was very good, no whining, no crying, nothing really usual. The way my room is set up, the tie-down is on the other side of the bed from the door. So when I lay down to go to sleep, missy, put her face up on the bed. She gave me big licks and then lay down. New routine is to wake up at 6am. But what did my body tell me to do? Wake up at 5. *groan* But this did give me enough time to get up, get dressed, take a shower, do all my normal morning routine things, and then feed, water and take missy out.

 

My pups name is not really missy; I am just using it for now. She stayed very calm until it was time to feed. Let’s just say that Missy inhales her food. Emma chews every single kibble one at a time. It can take up to 20 minutes for her to finish a cup of food. Missy is fast! It’s going to save me like 20 minutes a day.

 

Break time went well, were able to get a #2. With no accidents overnight. Breakfast was about the same as other mornings, oatmeal, my eggless scones, and fruit. We met in the leather lunge, to go over what we were doing for the day.

 

Instructors split us into their students. One group worked inside and one worked out. The group inside would work on learning how to go up and down stairs and to use the elevator. We worked in the grooming room, and how to get the dogs up on the benches so that when we groom them, they will be familiar with it.

 

Now remember we did not have the harnesses on, and were only doing these things by the leash guiding. The normal way of going up and down stairs, is that a person would hold on to the leash. Going down alternating feet. The way I go down the stairs with a balance issue is one step at a time. I move one foot, then she goes forward, I say “brace” and I use my hand on her back. When we start using the harnesses, my will be a special one for balance. It’s very similar to go down as it is to go up.

 

After my training session, I had free time. A few calls to make to family and emails to answer. I put them off, or in my case, fall asleep and don’t do that stuff. I have a paper due today, so I needed to review the chapter. I got that done, so that this afternoon I can start working on that paper further.

 

One cute thing was after Missy and I got back to my room. I gave her a NyloNA bone. She started to chew. And then started to growl, not a aggressive growl, but a happy playful growl. So I go over to see what she is going, and she has the bone in her mouth in such a way that she wants me to play. She wants to play tug. We do this for a minute or two, as we were told not to as of just yet. I love love that I have an outwardly playful pup. She doesn’t play while working, but when we get back to our room. It’s good for her. And she just loves licking me all over.

 

Lunch was delicious of course. Turkey melts, with French Onion soup. After lunch it was much of the same, we waited to be pulled for our time with the instructor. The way its going is that either my instructor will take me first or last in the lineup of 4 students, and then in the afternoon, take me first or last. That way she is not interrupting me in the middle of my school work.

 

We walked around the grounds of the GDF using the leash guiding. It was a bit nerve wrecking as this takes a lot of trust. They are not in harness, yes you’re with an instructor but it’s still using all the guiding commands. While outside we worked on our daily obedience.

 

It is recommended that we do obedience every single day. This obedience is that we do several tasks for the dogs. These tasks can be put in different orders so that the dogs don’t get into the routine of obedience being one way. We put the dogs on a “sit, stay”. We make the leash from a short leash to a long leash. Then we walk away from them, one step at a time, asking them to “stay”. We also use a hand signal. Its palm towards the dog, with fingers together. It’s like telling someone to stop. We do the same with a “down, stay”, on this particular day I was able to walk all the way around her. She did not move a inche. I am holding on to the leash of course. It has been told to me by her trainer, and my instructor, same person, that they do this “recall command in that building. Where they leave the room with the dog on a sit or down, stay. Then they come back and the dog is still sitting there. We also do heel sort of obedience.

 

The weather has been great for these first few days. It has rained but only at night not when we are outside trying to work the dogs.

 

Dinner was delicious, but as I am writing this a day or so behind, I can’t remember what it was. Oooops LOL

 

After dinner were lectures. One lecture was for us handlers who have had guides before. It was to talk about giving up that guide, retiring them, or putting them down, if they were sick or old. It talked about the grieving process. Of course the girls, all cried, and the men left quickly. After that we had a lecture on the straight line theory. This was a lecture to talk about why we ask the dogs to go in a straight line. Some in the class think we as blind people can’t walk a straight line. At this pint can’t remember why we ask the dogs to do this, but we quickly diverged from the original topic. All of the lectures that are given here are given by instructors, so they do know what they have been talking about.

 

After the lecture, I “tried” to work on school work, but fell asleep in front of the computer again. On this night I did not remember going to sleep, but didn’t realize this until the next morning.

 

That is all for now, until next time……

The Big Day!

 

The day began on not the best note. I woke up several times in the night, for whatever reason. And both times I could not get back to sleep.

 

The first order of business was breakfast as usual. On the menu was oatmeal, sausage, toast, and a cup of fruit. I am eating very very well here. The chief is an awesome man. He even made me eggless scones.

 

We had our normal meeting at 8 to find out what the plan was for the day. After that we were free until we were pulled for leash training. Your probably asking what leash training, or leash guiding is? Its where the dog heels, and guides with no harness on, or without using the harness. I know the other schools I attended did not teach this. It is possible to teach, but this dog is familiar right off the bat with it. I find this useful like trying to get off and on of buses, outside trying to do small distances like going potty, and in public bathrooms. At least these are areas I will be using it in. These dogs are trained to stop at doorways. I have been told that the dog use to be trained to sit at doorways. But now they just stop. Another thing I think is different and really awesome is. When going in and out doors, say for example the door is on your is in front of you. The door opens from right to left, I would do a little dance, putting my back to the door, to hold it open, and then give my dog an “inside” command. This is probably used for outside doors too, or doors you go out with, but I have not experienced this yet.

 

After our leash guiding session, we all met back in the gathering room. The gathering room is the room that we will leave from when boarding the buses. We talked about how to prepare our rooms when we get our dogs and how that process would go. We were told that we needed to be sitting on our beds, acting very calmly, in a calm voice. We were told to right away treat the dogs as service animals. I know this is different from the other schools too. Here we bond with our dogs, we love them, and we pet them. But we do not get down on the ground with them. Other schools do allow you to get down and roll around, or cuddle with them. This is so that we as handler’s right off the bat are made the alpha. In a way I think this is cool too. I’ll say with GDB, when I attended back in the early 2000’s, they even had a bean bag chair that was big enough for a large male, and a large dog. I am not saying this is wrong, just that I prefer it this way.

 

Several times in the day I “tried” to work on school work. I would start but then my mind would start to wonder. I could not concentrate on school must of all. I was so nervous, anixous, and just unsure of the unknown. I am sure this won’t go away until I have the dog in my possession, and perhaps not even after that.

 

Lunch was the best meal of all thus far, and that is high considering I haven’t eaten anything here that was bad. It was a delicious salad with grilled chicken, strawberries, feta cheese, and baby spinach. After lunch we were instructed to go back to our rooms. Let me say this was the most nerve wrecking part of the day. Sitting in my room, not wanting or not being able to concentrate on school work, waiting and waiting for your dog. I am not sure where in the lineup of dogs I received mine.

 

I was in my room, and waiting . A photographer took our pictures while we were meeting the dog for the first time. My labby was so excited to see me. She is a licky sort of dog. She is dark in color. She has the typical lab tail, and when it wags, which is a lot, it sounds like “Thump, Thump”. She has a big head, that goes from the tips of my fingers to my palm where my wrist meets my hand. She has huge feet, and I think she has some growing to do. Atleast so she fits into her feet. LOL I would estimate that she weighs about 75 pounds. She is definitely thick in her girth. Once we had the dogs, then we worked up and down the halls to the different rooms. At around 4:15, we fed and “braked” the dog. Not literally, but we took them out to the potty. At GDB they say, “Do your business”. At Seeing Eye they say “Park time”. Here they say “busy busy”. It’s different. The first potty break, she did not do anything. As many of the dogs just stood there, looking at each other. It’s also typical for the dogs on the first day not to go potty.

 

Dinner was fish and chips, Yum! We all took our dogs to the dining room. The instructors said they don’t usually do that, but everyone was doing very well. We worked out dogs back to the rooms, using the leash guiding. At around 7:30pm, 4 of us that my instructor has, all went to the leather lounge room.

 

This was the first for obedience. This is basic obedience, which consists of, sits, down, sits and stays, recall, down and recall. I know I am missing something, but it’s late. But the time we were done, it was time for our last “break” time.

 

I was successful, I got#1!!!!! After this break time, again working the dogs to our rooms, and then it’s time for bed time for them. She goes on the tie-down that is next to my bed. It’s bolted into the floor, she can’t get off it. It’s not mean, or cruel. In a few days we will start to give them a little more freedom. On her tie-down, she can move, lay on her back.

 

And as I type this, she is having a doggie dream. She was barking and moving her legs. Oh my labby is dreaming. Emma did never did this much that I remember.

 

I know I am forgetting to write something. Please God let me sleep better tonight. And let my new pup sleep well too. No accidents please, and no needing to go out, please.

 

One last thing, before I close, my pup is already doing the bracing thing for my balance. I have not had to ask her for it, but when we are out at a curb, she will do it. Bracing is when she puts her front paws on the curb, I say “brace”, and I can then put my hand or use the special harness to help me balance up the stairs or curb. What a smart dog.

 

Have a good night everyone,

 

Until next time…..

Monday Tuesday September 25th 2012,

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Today began with me waking up at an ungodly hour of 4:30am. I have no clue why my body said it was time to get up. I guess all those Tuesday and Thursdays have me in a habit now. Ugh!

 

Breakfast this morning was oatmeal, bacon, and fruit. For those who can eat eggs, you could have had that too. The food here is really good. At 8am we had a fire drill. We all knew where to go out of the building. Then we came in and had free time until an instructor pulled us for the Juno walk.

 

I think I explained the Juno walk? I’ll do it again. A Juno walk is where a instructor, holds on to the harness, holds on to at the back strap part. And pulls a student if there was a dog inside the harness.

 

I got called fairly early in the morning. So we walked around the grounds of the campus. GDF has 10 acres. Its mostly in a residential area but very close to the center of smithtown. When out I can hear the traffic in the distance, atleast I think that is traffic and cars *shrug* While doing the Juno walk, my instructor reviewed the foot and hand signals. Boy has it been a long time since I was in training. I am so set in my ways. For those who do not know, I am what guide dog instructors call retreads, LOL They call us that because we are set in our ways, because we have done this before, and have to learn every thing all over again.

 

I learned the “forward”, the “right”, the “left”, and the “about” commands. I’ll do my best to explain each foot and hand signal.

 

The guide dog stands on the handlers left side. In order to go straight, I would give the “forward” command. The dog would start walking. Say for example I wanted to go “right”, I would step back with my left foot, moving my hand and arm in front of my body from the left to right. The left command is similar but different. In order for the dog to go left, I would say “left” command. I would step back with my left foot, turn my body to face the dogs, and move my hand towards the left. And the one most complicated for me, as none of the other schools I have been to do this one. Is the “about” command. This would ask the dog to make a 180 degree turn. I would give the “stay” command, which is a palm out faceing the dog while saying “stay”. My hand moves from right to left towards the dog. I would use my right hand to tap my right hip, and say “about”. While doing this command, my left foot is forward, I think. Like I said this command is new to me. There will be more commands to come.

 

After my morning walk and the Juno dog, I had some free time. I worked on a paper for one of my classes and finished that later on in the afternoon.

 

Lunch was once again delicious. Turkey sandwich with a chicken soup. After lunch we met again in the Gathering area. We were going to be given tours of the on campus kennels. I had a bit of free time before my tour so, worked on that paper.

 

There was a volunteer that walked us individually over to the Kennels. The Kennels are a huge building that houses about 200 dogs. Dogs in different stages of training, puppyhood, career changes, or retirement. It’s a climate controled huge building with instructors offices, a doggie hospital, a grooming room with bath tubs and fans, and other rooms I don’t remember. I got to pet some of the pups in the runs. Big dogs and little dogs, labs, and one poodle, goldens, and crosses. It was very cool. I could have spent all day in with the puppies. I think they even have a puppy nursery for the babies.

 

At 4pm, we learned the name and breed of our dog. Remember I won’t give out the name now, and most likely for a while after I get home. Only those super close will know the name. Anyone dieing to know? Ah I didn’t think so, I guess no one wants to know? LOL Just kidding!!!

 

My dog, is a female Black Lab cross. I know nothing else but that.

 

I will say that there are some unusual names in my class but its cool. I hope my pup is a big dog, it would help with my balance.

 

After we found out what our dog names are and the breeds, we had a lecture about communication and social media. Soon after was dinner. The chief here is very funny. We had Gyros with a greek salad.

 

At 6:30pm, we were given our leashes, our collers, dog bowls, bones, grooming brush, and whistle.

 

So that was my day, in a nut shell atleast.. tomorrow is going to be even busier and longer. Tomorrow we get our dogs, and then they will be with us for the rest of our stay here and when we go home.

 

If anyone has any questions, let me know, okay?

 

Until next time….

Monday September 24th 2012

This morning started off very early for hubby and I. We were up before the sun was up at 4:30am. Why you might ask? I had a Micro Economics midterm to take at 8:30am. I boarded the 6:49 train as usual. It was a chilly morning. I live about a 15 minute drive from the train station. There is a closer one but this early in the morning I have to go to a further one. Hubby and I have family and many church families in the area that helps us with rides and transportation. I seriously hate to ask people for rides, but it is a necessity. It’s all good because we either help with gas money or help with other services like babysitting. If there is a will, there is a way. Ok back to topic.

 

I arrived for my Econ midterm at 8:30am. And pre-arranged I had a reader and scribe set up. The reader and scribe was to help with the graphs parts of the test. The test took all of 3 hours. For the multiple choice and short answer I read the questions on the computer using a program called JAWS. It stands for Job Access with Speech. For my calculator I have another adaptive device called a Braille Note Apex. So by the time I was done with the test, I had to rush off to the train to leave for NY. Let’s just say I do not think I did very well on this test. Mental note, never schedule a test when you’re about to leave town, and about to leave town to receive your guide dog/service animal. I could not concentrate at all.

 

Anyone who might have seen me walking to and from the train on this morning must have thought I was drunk, crazy, or something. It was not a good travel day. I got lost in the bell tower area, tripped over a bike, got lost in an intersection, and slipped down a curb. And that was just on the way to take my test. On the way back to the train, it would have been more of the same, but a nice gentleman helped me. An hour train ride up to my part of Philadelphia.

 

Hubby, MIL and FIL were at the train station to pick me up and we left from there. They had pre-loaded the car with all of my luggage. We stopped in New Jersey to set the GPS up and for a bathroom break. It was about a 3 ½ drive. It took us through some of NYC, Queens, and Brooklyn. At one point we were driving right next to the Atlantic Ocean. We arrived here at the school around 4:30pm.

 

I checked in, found my room, and met some of the instructors right away. My room is at the end of the hall. It’s not a big room, but very nice. It reminds me of a college type room, but a lot nicer.

 

**Small note here, when I describe a location or a part of a school, I am only describing it in my terms, in my way. By no means am I describing it to be disrespectful.**

 

I have a private room with bathroom. At The Seeing Eye, or TSE, the room was bigger. I have a double size bed, night stand; a closet, desk, dresser combo type thingy. I was oriented to the building some in the beginning. It’s a fairly big building, with room for 15 students. I could not tell you in what shape it is, as I am still getting lost at this point. Like I said my room at TSE was bigger, but not any nicer than here. This is very modern type of dorms.

 

My family hung around for a little bit, but then had to back on the road. It was hard to say goodbye to my hubby. I was extremely nervous and anxious on the ride up here. My family when to Outback steak house for dinner, which all in itself is not fair! I only mention this because my dinner meal was just as fabulous. For dinner we had was roast boneless chicken breast in a creamy mushroom sauce, baby potatoes, and asparagus. I could not eat the cheesecake because it had eggs in it. *pout*

 

After dinner I did more orientation to the building. I will say for a hearing impaired person the building is extremely echo. The hall in the dorm area is very narrow, and none of us can see how we are going to fit down them with a dog and another person. Around 7 we had our introduction discussion. We officially met our instructors, the instructors that are on this class, and our class mates. There are 10 students, 2 combos, a few who have had guides before, and a few newbies. It’s a pretty good breakdown between women and men. The building has parts, the dorm, the gathering area, the snack area, the dining room, the leather lounge area, and the entry way. There is also a basement with rec room, groom room, work out area, and a computer room. Oh I can’t forget the relieving area for the dogs.

 

Let me talk about the relieving area for the dogs a little bit. I think this is a good comparison point. TSE is a big open area of concrete. Here there is a cover area that I was told is heated area. For all you guide dog handlers, it’s covered and heated in the winter. All I have to say is awesome! I was told in the winter, the snow and ice melt, so that no one slips, and so that it is easier to pick up after the dogs. Personally I think it’s cool. There is nothing worse than trying to pick up after a pup in the snow.

 

After our introduction discussion, I was orientated to more of the building. Finally I was able to get into my room and unpack. I went to bed finally around 11:30am.

 

Oh yeah this is worth mentioning, there are several students here who are from the Doylestown area as I am too. It’s usual to have 2 students in a class from the same area, but 3 of us. Tomorrow is a full day, so I am off to bed.

 

Until next time!

*cough* *sneeze* Document

*cough*

All weekend I have been fighting a cold. Whom ever gave it to me, can absolutely have it back now! So here I am all weekend sick, not feeling well. But packing and getting last minute preparations ready. Studying my butt off to an Economics test on Monday morning. And... And... And... Although busy it was a nice weekend, and I enjoyed spending it with my wonderful husband.

Remember that pop quiz I asked you all about? Well by now you'll have looked back for the answer. My question to you was, what were my dual disabilities? I will tell you. I am totally blind and hearing impaired, with major balance issues. to start I have not been blind my entire life. I was born visually impaired but could see. See enough to read print, colors, shapes and objects. I say I am totally blind now because I have no usable vision. I say visually impaired because I could see some. I had glasses and contacts growing up. I say blind, because that is what I am. Its okay to use the word blind. At one point I could even drive a car, and I do remember what that was like. Now about the hearing impairment. Not sure where or how it came about. I can still hear, but fake very well. I am not comfortable with my hearing loss. And hate to ask people to repeat themselves. In one or two person interactions, I am good. If its more, with lots of noise, I can't hear myself much less the person next to me. I can't hear traffic, I can't hear people walking by or come up to me. If I am out on the street of say Temple, I can't hear what the person is saying. Its ackward but I deal with it the best I can. the balance is because of the hearing loss. My Ear Nose Throat doc says I have Meniere's. There is your vocabulary word for the night.

So the breeds of dogs that are used as guides are: German Shepards, goldens, Labs, Crosses ie. golden and lab, Collies, Poodles, and a few other breeds I can't think of.

Why would someone want to get a guide dog? So I have been using a long white cane since I was 5. In order to know or find a object you must touch it or hit it with your cane. So imagine a sidewalk, with a trash can, a bench, a tree, a sign and a bike rack. So in order for me to know that all of those things are there and go around them, I have to touch every single thing. This takes time and can be frustrating. There are advantages and disadvantages to using a cane and the same goes for a guide dog. With a guide dog, the dog would guide you around all of those objects. and the handler, like me would never know, or might not ever know that those thing exist. This becomes a problem when a guide dog handler is trying to locate an object with a guide dog. So when I am walking, and a well intended sighted person says, watch out for such in such. I know its there because I have, One, already found it with my cane. Or two, am about to. Perhaps its a object I want to find. Maybe I am looking for a bench to sit down on. Or a trash can to deposit of trash in. the better thing for a sighted person to ask is, Can I help you locate something?

Ok so that is enough educating for one night. Your brain probably hurts, and my fingers are tired. I hope you all have found what I have written interesting.

If your wondering, my cold is better. I am still congested, but feeling 75% back to myself.

Until next time!

Wow, three days and counting!

Welcome back!

So today was my last day of classes for a whole month. I know my class mates out there reading, are saying wow, I am so lucky. NOT! is my response. So I leave monday, but before I leave for Smithtown NY, I have to go to Temple to take a Economics midterm test. Fun! Then its off to NY.

I arrive on Monday, but won't get my pup until wednesday. Monday night and into Tuesday they will orientate us to the building and campus. I think there will be 10 people in my class. Those in my class are from all over the country, who have all degrees of visual impairment and possibly other disabilities. Other things we do on Monday and tuesday are be intereviewed by the instructors. A interview to see what sort of things I want and need from a service animal. I'll be using service animal in this blog, because my dog will have more than one job. There will be a quiz later on what those other tasks my dog will be trained for *smile* Because I have had a guide dog, a dog who has just guided me because I am blind. I have tasks and jobs I would like my puppy to be able to do. I have a whole grocery list of things I want and things I do not want. those who are going into a guide dog program for the first time, are not going to know what they want from a dog. And that is okay. the other thing we do in those first days is a Juno walk. Imagine the harness a guide dog wears. Imagine no dog, but a human holding on to the back strap, and the other person. Someone like me, holding on to the handle. and the instructor pretending to be the dog, pulling along, guiding you, simulating what it is like to walk with a dog. Its completely safe, and no instructor will let you get hurt, its is hard to let go of that control. I'll talk more about that later. there will be more to happen those first few days.

but for now I am preparing. there is so much to do in the mean time. Like packing for one. The school recommends that you bring several broken in pairs of walking shoes. so because I have done this before, I have 4 pairs of shoes. Why you might ask would I need that many pairs of shoes, because when your in training for a service animal. One that will primarily be a guide dog, you walk atleast 3 to 5 miles a day. Yes folks I said miles. So for all of my class mates who said, I was lucky. Are you ready to change that answer?

With my last pup, Emma from the Seeing Eye. I think you arrive on a saturday and recieve your dog on Monday. So its about the same amount of time. And with TSE, they do about the same introductory stuff in the first few days.

For my normal at home schedule on Tuesday and thursday's I am up at 4:30am. With my training, I will wake up at 6, potty the dog at 7, breakfast at 7:30am. and then working with the dogs from 8 to 12. Lunch is at 12 to 1pm. And then the same for the morning as the afternoon. and then dinner at 5. After dinner, there are lectures on how to take care of your dog, and covering every other topic imaginable after that. i will talk more about these as they come up. These lectures are for those new comers. If you are a new dog handler, it is important that you pay attention to these. A little secret I didn't my first time, and now I wish I had. Back to the schedule, plus all of my training, I will need to keep up with my school work. 5 classes worth. So I am going to be a busy little bee. Oy Vey!

so a shout out to all of my classmates at Temple. to my student recorders, those wonderful students who have graciously offered to record the lectures and send them to me. Thank you again!

On a different note, Emma is still with us at home. Hubby will be taking care of her while I am gone. I am still absolutely devasted that she is not working and is retired. Emma and I were so good together. Her personality fit mine to the T. But as I said health and stress got to her.

a word of caution, please people watch where your going. I can't see you. and when you run into my service animal, they can be hurt more than I. Its not just physical, but emotional. Dogs have feelings too!

I have done so much crying about Emma not working anymore. all of my tears are all dried up. It just seems as though I got Emma yesterday. But it wasn't. I am incredibly nervous. Much more than I expected to be, and much more than I was with my other guides. What is different I am not sure. I was walking to the train this afternoon after classes, and said wow today is it for classes for a while. 

So this is the begining of my adventure, stay tuned!

Hi

Hi World,

This is my first post in this my blog. If you don't me, I'll introduce myself. My name is Marsha, full time student at Temple University. I'll clue you into more later. I started this blog for all those who are interested in reading my new adventures in getting a service dog. I have had guide dogs in the past, from The Seeing Eye and Guide Dogs for the Blind. My most recent guide was Emma, a beautiful GSD who was forced to retire early from stress and health issues. this time I'll be going to GDF, Guide Dog Foundation. Why did I change schools? I can hear all of my guide dog handler friends out there asking this question. I changed schools for the only reason that GDF can better serve my dual disabilities. I am both totally blind and hearing impaired. I also have balance issues because of the hearing loss. so in other words my life can be fun, adventurous, but stressful in traveling. For those who are thinking, wow that is alot to deal with. My answer is yes, but I will not, can not, am determined not to let it stop me. We are given challenges in life, and overcoming them the best way possible is the only way to go. I hope with this blog I can educate and keep everyone up to date to my progress. My training at GDF starts in 5 days, on September 24th. I hope to sort of given my experiences past and present, and experiences training with this new dog. This new dog will be trained to guide, help balance me, and for hearing tasks. I'll post when I get the pup, but for personal reasons not give the name. So please do not even ask. Your welcome to leave comments, but I'd rather you email them directly to me. I also hope that some of my classmates will read this. Like I said I am a full time student at Temple University, in the SW program. While training I will be away from classes. My professors have been great in working with me so that I can complete all of my school work while there. Also, if I miss a day and don't get to posting for a bit, please do not panic. I journaled when I got Emma, but never published it. this is not only for everyone out there in cyber space, but for me. also while I am introducing myself, I am married to the most wonderful man in the world. He'll be known in this blog as hubby. so next time you come back, have a nice big cup of coffee, a comfy chair, and enjoy reading.

Until next time,