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From: Dave.Martin@f800.n106.z1.fidonet.org (Dave Martin)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: GUIDE DOGS
Message-ID: <14565@bunker.UUCP>
Date: 2 Oct 90 01:11:56 GMT
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[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

Hi Grant, yes, tis I, a voice from your past.  Havent seen you
since those wonderful days in california.  As for the guide dog
thing.  I fully agree with you.  I had a dog for 5 years, and I had
nothing but the best of luck and times with Silver.  He was a great
dog, and the staff at Guiding Eyes were also just as good and
suportive.  I did notice, however that some of the students were a
bit of a problem.  ONe of the things that I wish could be on any
and all aplications for guide dog training is one simple question.
"do you hhave a love for dogs"?  I think this is very important,
because that dog is a
 not just a "tool" for the individual.  To be a good team, the
 master and dog have to be a "team" they have to love and
understand one another.  It can't just be a situation where the
master takes from the dog, and the dog does all the giving.  I
noticed several students in my calass who just perceived their dogs
as some kind of advanced machine, rather than a living breathing,
and, yes, a very feeling animal.  They always had a lot of trouble
with their dogs, and I know of at least 2 of them who sent their
dogs back because they had lots of problems.  You are so right,
Grant.  The "student" problem is one that we seldom hear about.  Of
course the reason for this is very obvious.  God forbid that any of
us should take any of the blame for a bad match between dog and
master.  That's the school's problem, right?  Anyway, hope to talk
to you soon, Grant.

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